^' 



a/riAH} iiij; 



^f ^ 



Entered according to Act of Congress, in the year 1873, by 
BARCLAY&CO., 
In the Office of the Librarian of Congress, at Washington, D. 0. 



MISS BARBER'S NARRATIVE. 



CHAPTER 1. 

HARRXSD TO " SQUATTIKQ BEAR.' 



AM a native of Massachusetts, and was born in June, 1848. 
Early in life I had those religious principles instilled in my 
mind which in after years went a great way toward the fixed 
purpose of becoming an Indian missionary. It has been 
argued by a great many people — since my return from m/ 
five years' sojourn among the Indians — that sentimentalism rather 
than religious fervor caused the step, which I have since repented, 
that of marrying an Indian chief. 

Kind reader, if there did exist within me a remantic feeling I 
failed to remark it at the time, nor have I yet detected its existence. 
I was indeed foolish to have undertaken such a step, but then, in 
my ignorance, I thought of a great and good work which, by self- 
eacrifice and resolution, would admit of my success in its accom- 
plishment. I have " lived and learned,** and when I turn my 
thoughts to those eventful years in my life—each one photographed 
upon my memory, and if further testimony were needed nearly all 
are recorded in the diary which I kept — I cannot but stand in amaze- 
ment at penis passed through, and thank the great God above us 
that I am spared to tell my story, which 1 claim is one of astonish- 
ing adventures saoh as probably no woman, and few men, have ever 

axperienoed. 

If 



20 MISS BARBER'S NARRATIVE. 

I regret to say that my marriage at Washington, D. C, in 1867, 
to "Squatting Bear," was by hungry sensation-seekers made the 
occasion of a public demonstration, against my wish. But there is 
no need to review that portio-n of my life; you are all familiar with 
its every detail, the press throughout this country and Europe having 
freely vented the particulars. ' - -^-^■^-^''■ 

" Squatting Bear," my husband, is a chief of the Sioux Indian 
Tribe which is divided into several families, his family being called 
" Brule." All male Indians are named according to some incident 
occurring during their early life. If the incident be one of a bur- 
lesque or cowardly nature the name thus derived may be afterwards 
changed by some act of bravery. But where the name is in the 
first place gained by a brave act it. is never altered. To illustrate — 
my husband's brother, when about twenty years of age, Started with 
two of his tribe on a hunt. On their way they came to a river witli 
a v^ry rapid current, requiring in a man considerable strength to 
Bwim it. His companions were ahead and gained the shore before 
him; turning they saw him hold up one hand, and he.ird him cry 
"towaree" (cramp). They rescued him, and on their return to the 
Indian village gave him the name, which they had heard the traders 
use, and had a slight idea of its definition — "Belly-ache," which he 
retained for many years; having fortunately afterward, however, 
gained celebrity for keenness of vision, he was re-named — 
"Keen-eye." 

The way my husband gained his somewhat unromantic appella- 
tion was through the following incident. In company with a "brave'" 
he one day started out with the avowed intention of killing a 
" wannoe " (bear) which had, for several days, been seen wandering 
In the neighborhood of the encampment. They walked many miles 
without discovering any signs of the animal, when suddenly the 
bear sprang upon my husband, and so quick was the encounter that 
both man and beast in the sudden contact were thrown upon their 
backs. My husband, then known asTemulle, endeavored to regain 
hl« f'eet, bvt th^ bear seemed in no way disposed to allow such asj 



MISS BARBER'S NARRATIYB. «l 

action, for she immediately "closed in" and hugged Temulle to her 
heart's content. This affectionate reception in no manner pleased 
the Indian. His companion "Tall-oak" did not dare to fire, and 
during the struggle Temulle called to him forbidding him to, in any 
way, interfere with him, as he wished to fight it out alone. 

The struggle was long and fierce, and not once did Temulle find 
himself able°to get upon his feet. Over and over rolled man and 
beast. Temulle was by this time terribly gashed and bled profusely. 
Now he would manage to get upon his knees, and with all his 
strength, which was great, succeed in hurling his antagonist from 
him. But to no effect, for before he could regain his feet the bear 
was upon him. The witness to this encounter thinking every now 
and then that Temulle was overcome would say, " 'Tall-oak,' now 
help Temulle," to which he would reply, "Not so, Temulle fightg 
his own battles, to Temulle belongs the victory." After a prolonge(i 
fight the bear was killed. Temulle's knife had entered the bear's 
}»eart. This incident gave to Temulle the name of " Squatting 

Bear." 

But I digress. The world knows of my marriage to, and depart- 

ure with, Squatting Bear. We went from Washington to Chicago , 

from there to Des Moines, Iowa ; thence to Omaha, Nebraska, where 

we remained several days for the purpose of making purchases. 

Along the route we were greeted either with cheers, or shouts of 

derision, from the crowds assembled at the different railroad depots. 

Many enthusiastic church people having heard of my mission were 

awaiting, in the cities along our route, my arrival. Some offered 

me money, others had dainties put up in jars and baskets, but iho 

greater portion insisted upon my taking bibles, hymn books, etc. 

A few of these, in my zeal, I accepted, little thinking how useless 

they were where I was going. Thinking! Why, bless you, I never 

stopped to think at all, for if I had I should never have taken tlu^ 

step I did, and consequently these lines would never have seen prini. 

•There was I going among a people, the greater portion of 

v\^oxx^ coul-^ not understand me, for the purpose of couvertinu 



22 MISS BARBER'S NARRATIVE. 

them to Christianity, and leaving behind a more promising field ol 
heathens. During our journey my husband was very kind 
to me — the sort of kindness a child displays toward a toy : but 
I paid but little attention to him then, for my mind was religiously 
pre-occupied. 

Did I love him? perhaps some may ask. No, I did not; and 
that one thought has since given me much uneasiness. Twas a sin 
to marry a man whom I did not love. But, reader, I pray your 
lenience. Remember I was young and blind with what I then con- 
sidered a religious duty. I have read articles since my return (1872) 
in several papers, and among them a Journal of the Church, con- 
demning me severely — asserting that it was " nothing but the romance 
and folly in the head of a silly girl wnich induced her to wed her- 
self with an Indian, pretending, or imagining that it was ip the cause 
of religion," This I positively deny, for however foolish the step — 
and that I acknowledge — it was in the cause of religion, and for that 
only, that I did it. But no more of this ; I did not commence this 
narrative for the purpose of self-justification, and shall tire my readers 
with no such pleadings ; so follow me without fear. As I have said, 
we spent a few days in Omaha. 

One day my husband came to me with the information that we 
were to start the following morning at sunrise, and ordered me to 
make preparations accordingly. So we started, and in due 
.time reached Sioux City, where we remained but a short time, and 
then struck up the Yankton river. At length we arrived at Yank- 
ton, Dakota, and then the real journey commenced. The " Brules " 
village lay to the right about one hundred and forty-three miles 
from Yankton. We were provided with horses, which we had. pur- 
chased at Sioux City We had accomplished some forty-five miles 
the first day when my husband concluded to rest. I was thoroughly 
tired out, and no such xuxury as a bed awaited me, but I had antici- 
pated such hardships and bravely lay me down to sleep. I had no 
difKculty in doing this, for nature soon asserted her control, and 
refreshing aleep claimed possession o^ my exhausted euergiea iu. the 




^ *A 



^:..jy£.. 




MY MARRIAGE TO " SQUATTING BEAR, " THE INDIAN CHIEF, AT WASHINGTON, D. C, 

mm aJcr^eitot^unfl mit „§oclebar," bm inbianifd)en C»auptlin0, 3" SBaf^inflton, ©. ©. ' 



MISS BARIJER'S NARRATIVE. 



» 



«oru!Tig I awoke somewhat $f>ff, but hopeful, and it occurred to tt.o 
tbat I should first make a convert of my Indian husband. Alas f 
my first attempt was enough to discourage any one. * " Woman talk 
to woman, no tell man what he must do." That was the end of that 
uttempt at conversion. 

I subsequently learned, what had before been a strong doubt in my 
mind,that the noble Indian has nothing but ignoble wives, or tbat the 
'* squaw " is forced In most cases, to do all the menial labor, is in 
fact a slave. This iL> not always the case, but to find an Indian 
allowing his wife to suit her own inclinations is indeed a rarity. 
Some Indians have several " squaws," and among them one favorite 
who is allowed more privileges than the others. And yet I have 
found (not in my own case, but by observing other cases) Indian 
courtship to be of the most romantic description — indeed romance 
forms the greater part of the Indian nature, but like many of their 
'^ white brethren," the lover dies in giving birth to the husband. 

I have seen and cruelly felt the usage accorded the squaw. Most 
Indians look upon their wives or squaws as beasts of burden. It is 
among the commonest sights in the Indian, ^ven among the partly 
"civilized" aborigines, to see a sturdy fellow mounted on his pony, 
with a gun across the saddle as liis only burden, while his wife or 
wives follow in his trail, with the whole furniture of the " lodo-e " 
lashed upon her, or their backs, and, in addition to this, leading a 
horse or cow by the halter — he riding along with the air of a kino-, 
and she trudging over the ground like a " pack-mule," lucky if she 
escapes kicks and blows. 

How I digress again, to be sure ; but I can't help it, I have so 
much to relate that I scarcely know how to commence. Our second 
night's halt was on the stream of a beautiful roaring brook, called by 
the Indians " Naog," which signifies roaring. Never shall I forget 
the scene which took place on that stream that night. The moon 
•^hone brightly, and not a sound, except the falling water, disturbed 
my meditation. I should judge that it was about ten o'clock when 
^e were both startled by the sound of horses' feet, my husband ever on 



26 MISS BARBER'S NARRATIVE. 

the alert stood upon his guard. The horse soon dashed by us, disclos- 
ing an Indian rider. Temulle (I like that name better than " Squat- 
tirg-Bear ") hailed him ; he reined up, and seemed in doubt as to the 
advisability of returning. My husband advanced and pointed his 
gun at him, at tho same time ordering him to advance and dismount 
which he did. The following coversation, in the Brule tongue, 
wbiah my husband repeated in English, ensued; 

" Whence come ye ? " 

« From the Blackfeet nation." 

" You are a nord-Sioux." 

" Yes, my brother speaks truly 

(Here a long silence ensued, which was broken by Temulle, who 
during this time had eyed the other Indian in a manner which «et 

him ill at ease.) 

" There has been blood between the Sioux and Blackfeet ? " 

•" Yes." 
" Why did you leave ? " 

' We were in battle with our enemies against great numbers. 
The dead lay around ua counting many. The Great Spirit forsook 

us." 

" And you fled ? " 

" Yes " (hanging his head down). 

" Your name ?" 

*' Manamoor." 

" Go thou to the Great Spirit and tell him I, Temulle, have sent 
him a coward that he may know thee as thou art." 

As Temulle said these words he drew a pistol— which had been 
presented to him at Washington-and shot Manamoor to the heart, 
• He then took the lifeless body and tied it t© aUree ; this done, he took 
his scalping-knife and drew two peculiar marks across the forehead, 
which he informed me signified that the dead Indian had lived a 
coward. This was the first of a series of horrible sights which 1 
was afterwards doomed to behold, and the reader may perhaps 
imagine the dreadful effect it produced upon my nerves, which were 



MISS BARBER'S NARRATIVE. 27 

IB no manner strengthened bj the words shortly after spoken by 
my husband: 

"Squaw, prepare to move; my tribe is at war, Temulle goes to 
meet his enemies, Blackfeet die by hundreds. Come I " 

So I was forced to continue my journey, and at last completely 
worn out I, in company with Temulle, reached the Brule village. 
'i^his Indian village did not differ, in point of appearance, from most 
of those I have since seen. And I will here take occasion to con. 
elude one chapter and commence another, which will give my reader^ 
some idea of the Indian physically and morally, their religion and 
superstitions being duly ryonaide"^. 




CHAPTEK ri. 

THIB INDIANS, PHYSICALLY AND MORALLY CONSIDERED. 

^HE Indians generally are disposed to rove ; and in their 
3 excursions they frequently encroach on the privileges of 
their neighbors, which is seldom suffered to pass unnoticed, 
and usually terminates in war; a result frequently courted 
with no other view than to school the young warriors, and 
afford the older ones opportunities to acquire distinction. These 
wars are Bometimes of short duration ; at others they only cease wiih 
the extermination, or removal of one of the parties. 

When a nation of Indians becomes too numerous conveniently to 
procure subsistence from its own hunting-grounds, it is no uncommot) 
occurrence for it to send out a colony, or in other words, to separate 
into tribes, or families. Thus with the Sioux there are tlie Brules. 
(my husband's tribe), the Nordos, Washaukee, Waunie, etc. Pre- 
paratory to such a measure, runners or spies are sent in various 
directions to ascertain the most suitable location. A national 
council next hears the several reports, determines on the plan, and 
elects chiefs to carry it into operation. The pipe is then s<.,nt 
round, and all who smoke it are considered volunteers. When the 
number is properly proportioned the. ceremony of separation take. 
place, is at (5nce accomplished, and is truly uflocting. The tribe .<> 
separated maintains all its relations, independent of the parent 
nation, though the most friendly intercourse is commonly maintained, 
and they are almost uniformly allies. Separations sometimes take 
place- from party dissensions, growing generally out of the jealousies 
.f the principal chiefs, and not unfrequently out of petty quarrels. 
These divisions seldom last long, reconciliation follows reflection. 



MISS BARBER'S NARRATITE. ^ 

•nd a re-uniou is effected. Instances, however, I have known, in 
which the two parties become the most irreconcilable, rancorous, 
and deadly foes, and raised the tomahawk against each other, with 
a malignity surpassing, if possible, that exercised between hostile 
nations totally distinct in consanguinity, 

it has been supposed by some, that all the Indian nations speak 
different dialects of the same language, but the case is far otherwise. 
There are scarcely two nations between whom no intercourse exists, 
whose languages are so similar, as to be mutually understood by the 
respective individuals of each ; indeed, I fully believe there are 
none, although the circumstance of origin, descent, immediate neigh- 
borhood, intermarriages, voluntary associations, friendly intercourse, 
and the incorporation of the vanquished of one tribe with another, 
have materially modified, and, in many instances, effected a strong 
""esemblance in some of them. 

Among uatious more remote, some words of the same pronuncia- 
tion, and of the same and different imports, are used ; but instances 
of this nature do not occur sufficiently often to materially alter their 
pharacter, and they maintain their distinctiveness, with as much 
force perhaps as do the English, French, German, and Russian lan- 
guages. It is true that an individual of one nation may, by the 
assistance of signs, make himself sufficiently understood to hold a 
conversation on all ordinary subjects, with strangers of almost 
pvery other ; but-then it should be remembered, that their languages 
partake greatly of the pantomimic, and that their poverty is, to a 
considerable degree, made up for by those impressive and common 
auxiliaries. The Indian languages suffer frequent and considerable 
changes, ,. 

In regard to the signs used by Indians to connect their words or 
render their languages intelligible, very little of a satisfactory nature 
<;an be said ; because they are so variously adapted to their different 
pubjecta of conversatioii as in general to baffle description. In 
t>rder to comprehend them fully it is necessary to understand their 
•diom* and habits. l;,^ 



^ MISS UARBER'S NARRATIVK. 

In talking of an enemy they assume a ferocious attitude «nd 
aspect, seize hold of, and brandish their weapons of war, in preoteely 
the same manner As they would do if they were in his presence, and 
about to engage in a deadly conflict. The wampum and pipe are 
handled iu conversations on peaceful subjects, and everything con- 
nected with them is diametrically reversed. 

In speaking of men, game, birds, trees, marching, hunting, swim- 
ming, etc., etc., the Indian displays a wonderful power for acting 
and imitating, and the peculiarity of each, individually, is imitated 
m so happy a manner, as to be readily understood by those ac- 
quainted with the qualities of the subject intended to be described, 
although they should be entire strangers to the language. 

In their writing and correspondence, the Indians make use alto- 
gether of hieroglyphics. It is doubtful if they had a knowledge 
of methodical combination whether their language would admit ot 
Its use. They inscribe their correspondence, and such subjects as 
require to be recorded, on the inner bark of the white birch, or on 
skins prepared for the purpose. In the reasoning, the judgment 
and perceptions of an Indian are, generally speaking, clear and 
quick, and their arguments ingenious and cogent. 

Iu respect to the origin of their religion, the Indians themselves 
are altogether ignorant. It is certain, however, that they acknowl- 
edge at° least so far as my acquaintance extends, one supreme, aH 
powerful, and intelligent Being, viz.: the "Great Spirit," or the 
Giver of Life, who created and governs all things. 

They believe, in general, that after the hunting grounds had been 
formed and supplied with game, that he created the first red man 
Had woman, who were very large in their stature, and lived to an 
«.ceedingly old age; that he often held councils with them, gave 
U^em laws to be observed, and taught them how to take game and 
..ultivate corn, but that in consequence of their disobed.ence, he 
withdrew from, and abandoned them to the Wallertozcor, (Bad 
Spirit,) who had since been instrumental to all their degeneracy and 
sufferings. [This fact singularly coincides, in a great measure, with 



■i Uiiiii 




MY DOMESTIC DUTIES PRACTISED UNDER DIFFICULTY. JEALOUSY OF 

ME-EM-O-LE. 

Seine ^auW^en ?jli<^ten unrtt ©<|»ierigleit aueaeftbt. ttiferfu(^t t.on m-m-oM. 



MISS BARBER'S NARRATIVE. $1 

o>ar Bible view of earth's formation, and the story of Adam and Eve 
in the ''Happy Lan^ of Paradise,** and will afford a subjeot for 
fiaeditation, when we consider that the story has been familiar to 
the Indians before the white man cacae among them.] They believe 
the Great Spirit to be of a too exalted character to be directly the 
author of evil^ and that, notwithstanding the offences of his red 
children, he continues to shower down on them all the blessings 
they enjoy ; in consequence of this parental regard for them, they 
are truly filial and sincere in their devotions to him for such thingc 
^is they need, and return thanks for such good things as they receivci 

On the other hand, when in affliction, or suffering under any 
great calamity, in the belief tnat it will appease his wrath or miti- 
gate his chastisements, they pray with equal fervency to the Evil 
Spirit, who, they conceive, is a character directly the reverse of the 
Good Spirit, to whom he is inferior, but, nevertheless, has sufficient 
power, and is constantly devising means to torment and punish them. 
By the term spirit, the Indians have an idea of a being that can, at 
pleasure, be present, and yet invisible ; they nevertheless think th«j 
Great Spirit, like themselves, possessed of a corporeal form, though 
endowed with a nature infinitely more excellent than theirs, and 
which will endure forever without change. Although they believe 
in a future state of existence, they associate it with natural things. 
Their "hunting ground" or heave», they believe, will bea*place 
where game is abundant, and where there is perpetual spring and 
cloudless sky. 

They expect that their sensual pleasures will be in proportion to 
individual merit ; the brave warrior, expert hunter, and those slain 
in battle in defence of theii country, having the highest claims, will 
be the most distinguished ; while those of subordinate pretensions, 
will occupy subordinate positions. 

They have no particular days set apart for devotional purposes, 
though they have particular times; such, for instance, as declara- 
tion of war, the restoration of peace, and extraordinary natural 
visitations. Their mauntsr of worshipping the Deity differs on 



84 MISS BABBER'S NARRATIYB. 

different occasions. Shortly after a council of war, every indiridual 
that is able to walk, and the old men sometimes borne by others, 
rissemble in a grore, or some other place rendered sacred by the 
"x^asion, and offer up their prayers to the Great Spirit for sucoePo 
jigainst their enemies. 

Sometimes the devotional exercises are pantomimic and profoundly 
silent; at others, ejaculatory and vociferous. As I progress with 
my narrative I shall take occasion to remark upon other customs 
of the iDdiaus and their costumes, etc., but I must now take up the 
actual thread of my story 



H 




CHAPTER III. 

WHICH T A.RRIVE AT THE BRULE VILLAGE — AM INTRODUCSP 
VO ITS INHABITANTS, LISTEN TO A STIRRING NARRATIVE, AND 
j'ARncIPATE IN SEVERAL THRILLING ADVENTURES. 

■'HEN we arrived at the Brule village I witnessed for the first 
time Indians at devotional exercises. Our arrival amongst 
them did not cause the slightest interruption to their 
ceremony (an example which might well be imitated by 
their white brethren). At the conclusion we learned tha,t 
ohe diificulty which Manamoor had related as having occurred with 
rhe Bl vckfeet had been amicably adjusted. The Indians gathered 
around us, and after their manner welcomed Ternulle's white squ:uv. 
fn that moment I imagined everything, I thought I saw looks of 
jealousy and hatred dart forth from the eyes of my dusky sex 
thereat fcisembled — at one moment 1 expected to see them rush upon 
me and tear me to pieces. At length some of the Indian maidens 
came directly up to me and examined my costume critically. The 
male portion of the village then withdrew, and Temulle, who had 
been to see the Great Chief at Washington (Johnson), was, for tlio 
time being, the hero. 

Meanwbde I was an object of the greatest curiosity to the red- 
skin females. Many of them could speak a little English, but there 
were but (wo with whom I could converse with any satisfaction. 
One of tht^e I had noticed standing aloof from the others, and 
although she looked towards me, there was not that amount of 
brazennesa in her glance which could be plainly seen in the cve« 
and manners of the others. I beckoned to her, and she came grace- 
UiUy to me. She was of rare beauty, compared with her companions, 
and fai her eyes, which were blue, there dwelt a world of houL 

36 



36 MISS BARBER'S NARRATIVE. 

" What is your name ? " I asked. 

" Deitosie." (The meaning of which is '* from the Great Spirit.'*) 
"That is a very pretty name, and you are a very pretty girl." 
" Does my sister think I know not that ? Each stream of water 
tells me one, and the sound of the other is sufficient." 
" Will Deitosie walk with me toward my chief's hut ? " 
She consented, and arm in arm we walked toward the centre of 
the village, where, pointing out a hut, decorated with blankets and 
buffalo robes, many of which were gorgeously painted, she informed 
me that there I could rest. Accordingly, after taking a geaeral 
survey of the interior, I lay me down and soon fell asleep. When 
I awoke Deitosie stood beside me, and my first glance met her eyes 
She smiled sweetly, and I arose from my couch. 

She inquired if I slept well, and on my answering in the affirma- 
tive, she proposed a walk, to which I freely con.sented. Just as we 
were about to leave the hut, there entered an old squaw and a young 
one about fourteen years of age, I should judge. With mere./ a 
glance at them, taking it for granted that one was the mother, and 
the other the sister of Temulle, I followed Deitosie. We had walked ■ 
some distance, w^en my companion turned and asked me to relate 
ker my history. I did so, and gradually turned our conversation 
upon religion. We conversed for some time, and I may as well 
here state that Deitosie became a devout convert, as did also one 
other Indian maiden, of whom T shall have occasion to hereafter 

speak. 

We had walked a long way from the village, when we came to a 
beautiful mountain path. Up this we went until the summit was 
reached. Here .^_e sat down near the edge of a frightful abyss. ■ 
Deitosie related a'legend connected with this particular spot. 

Many years ago an Indian maiden who had married a ' Brave," 
and by him given birth to a child, was in the habit of visiting the 
spot to meet the return of her husband. In the same tribe there 
was another brave who had been, before her marriage, very per- 
sistent in hia attentions toward her. She did not love Wannotee. 



MISS BABBEK'S NAERATIYB. «7 

wlkioh was the name of her rejected lover, and so gare her heart to 
Sumeumot. One evening she repaired to the meeting place as 
usual with her child in her arms. She had been there but a short 
time, when Wannotee was seen by her coming up the path. There 
was nothing strange in this, so she paid no attention to his approach. 
In an instant he was by her side, and pouring into her ears such 
proposals as no squaw who loves her brave would listen to. With 
flashing eyes tsbe sprang to her feet and demanded his instant de- 
parture. He merely laughed scornfully, and springing toward her 
he seized her in his arms. She struggled bravely, but to no pur- 
pose, :ivS she was but a child in the iron hands of Wannotee. With 
a piercing scream, she cried for help. The voice of Sumsumot 
was heard in response, and ere long he dashed in sight, on the rock 
directly above them. Sumsumot, in a clear ringing voice, com- 
manded his rival to unhand his wife under pain of instant death. 
For answer Wannotee shouted, " Fire but one shot, and your squaw 
and papoose I shall hurl below me." 

During this time the Indian wife was making fearful struggles to 
release herself, and Wannotee was being backed, without knowing 
it, toward the brink of the frightful abyss. The despair of Sum- 
sumot who witnessed this scene was terrible. To leave his position 
on the rock and reach his wife in time to save her from being 
thrown into the abyss was impossible. To fire was a great risk as 
he might shoot his wife or child. He then opened a parley with 
his fiendish opponent. Wannotee would agree but to one thing— 
Sumsumot must swear by the Great Spirit to give him his squaw, 
■and take his papoose where he chose. In the agony of despair, at 
hearing these words, Sumsuimot firetl upon Wannotee, ihe shot took 
effect, and for a moment he relinquished his hold upon the womay, 
who, terrified beyond description, stood perfectly still, nor made no 
effort to escape. Wannotee staggered and seemed about to drop 
dead, when with one last, almost superhuman effort, he sprang 
towards the Indian woman, seized her in his arms, and with a won- 
=^rful leap cleared the edge of the abyss. The shout of Wannotee, 



88 MISS BABBEIVS NARRATIVK 

and the chilling acreara of the woman greeted Samsumot, a crashing 
B"- ai.a followed, and then all was still as death. 

Sumsumot, for a time, lay senseless, but recovering himself he 
arose with the face of a demon. His Indian nature pa,nted for 
revenge ; he went back to the village, related his story to four chiefs, 
and then, with knife and gun, killed all of WanaDtee'«» relatives. 
He then ran, followed by the braves of the village, who were s© 
astounded at the murders, and the rapidity with which be committed 
them, that they were powerless for the time to restrain him. Sum- 
eumot ran until he arrived at the abyss where the tragedy occurred, 
and with a look and cry of despair, leaped into the darkness below. 
The remains were afterwards found by some Indians, who erected a 
rude monument on the spot, and ever afterwards the rock upon 
which Deitosie and I sat, was known aa " Cantowinnie " (Abyss of 

Despair). 

i Afterward, in conversation with Deitosie, I learned, with feelings 
of disgust and surprise, that the little Indian girl, and the old squaw 
whom^I had seen entering TemuUe'a hut, were his wives. The girl 
could not have been fourteen years of age— in fact wan iiot, as I 
afterward learned— and the old squaw was nearly sixty. Certainly 
this information was enough to upset all feelings of romance, had I 
ever entertained any ; but it was not that which hurt me so, it was 
the idea of being wedded to a man who already had two other wives. 
Deitosie and myself soon arrived at the village, and there I was 
formally introduced by my husband to his wives, Nos. 1 and 2 ; and 
afterwards the chiefs came in one at a time and spoke some oily 
language relative to their feelings of respect and admiration for 
tlieir " white daughter.** 

^ The next day found me awake bright and early, but not Deforo 
Temulle, who had been up an hour sooner. Aa I made my exit 
from the door of the hut I met him. He saluted me, half in the 
manner of a cavalier, and that of a person who had gained a victory, 
and beheld his captive. I asked him what were to be my duties, 
and expressed a willingneaa to commence at once. He aiww«re<> 
me thu« • — 



^iqlgjj^^^^^^ ' 



r MISS BARBER'S NIaRATIVE. 4t 

.' •White squaw do to look at somwime ; when me want her work, 
me tell her so. Let the other tw. work for you." 

1 may here remark, that my husband's English was not ao pnre 
as that of Deitosie. The latter, \tr the way, was of the Cheyenne 
tribe. Her father had been one of a body of Indians who split 
from the main body because of a quarrel, and being driven from 
one spot to another, himself, daughter, and a young Cheyenne 
brave, Lissassa by name, had joined the Brule-Sioux. 

During my seoond day I conversed religiously with all the 
Indians willing to listen, who could understand English. My first 
attempt was anything but encouraging, and I finally concluded to 
give it up until I could master the Sioux language. This I did, I 
may say, easily, and before long I was enabled to offer up prayers 
to Him who was, I taught them, the Great Spirit of all men, women, 
and children, no matter what their color might b«. My attempts to 
teach and reform the Indian children were treated with indifierence 
and contempt, and I may perhaps be allowed some credit, when 1 
•seert that I continued under the discouraging auspices nearly one 
year, and during that time made two converts — Deitosie and Winno- 
teetee, (my husband's young wife). 

I had been among the Sioux about six months, when an event 
occurred, which horrified me extremely. One day a number of 
braves returned from a hunting expedition, accompanied by a 
soldier of the U. S. Army, en contwrtie, whom they had captured. 
The braves reported that he had deserted from his company, and 
had for some time past been amusing himself by lying in ambuscade 
and shooting Indians as they passed. In conversation with him 
shortly after his arrival, he informed me that he had received h s 
discharge, (which he showed me,) and had started home in compativ 
with a party of hunters, from whom he became lost. He belon^eA 
to the thirty-second U. S. Infantry; but I have forgotten his name. 
The Indians had, without doubt, confounded him with another 
aaan whom he had heard of, and wh««e name was Fly Jones, bus 
he had gained from the Indians the appellation of " Indiamo Apes " 
(Indian killer). 



^ MISS BARBER'S NARRATIVK 

ify sympathies were, of course, aroused in this poor man's behaifl 
But what could I do? And yet, perhaps, my husband might exert 
his influence for my sake, I concluded to ask him. Temulle'a jeai 
ousy was greatly aroused, when I appeared before hina and upon my 
knees besought him to plead for the soldier's life. He accused me 
■of wishing the "pale face" to become my lover; and this attempt 
at the " Pocahontas business " ended by my being placed in the hut 
under guard of the old hag, and the little child-wife. 

During the day of the capture the old hags and boys of the vil- 
lage were permitted to torment the prisoner with taunts, shooting 
hea<lless arrows at him, sticking, him with Indian toy-knives, etc. 
At night the stake, at which he was to be burned, was driven in the 
ground ; and soon after the soldier was brought forward, bound 
securely, and dry brush heaped around him. TemuUe, in a jealoub 
fit, desired that I should witness the scene. I protested, but to no 
effect, and was force<i to go to the spot. I endeavored to close my 
eyes to this dreadful scene, but could uot. 

Once tied to the stake the Indians amused themselves for about 
an hour, by throwing the tomahawk; the object being to see how 
near they could come to hitting his head— jrithout touching it. 
None but experts were allowed to participate in this amusement, 
and their dexterity was truly astonishing. With closed eyes the 
prisoner stood, and awaited his death, for he evidently did not know 
but what they were trying, in this manner, to split his head open 
T^iis amusement over, the brush was carefully placed around him. 
Then the Indians drew lots, but for what, I could not at the moment 
perceive. I was not left long in doubt, for the successful Indian 
stepped out from the circle, and in a moment had completely scalpe«l 
4he soldier. At this horrible sight I fainted ; and when I returued 
to consciousness, the prisoner's body was burned as far up as his 
chest, and the crisp flesh was rapidly falling into the fire beneath 
him. Life by this time was extinct ; but there, with the eyes start- 
ing from their sockets, was his head, with ghastly appearance, still 
against the post, his neck having been securely fastened. This 



MISS BARBER'S NARRATIVE. 48 

second awful sight caused another fainting spell, and just before I 
lost consciousness this time, I could see the squaws around me, and 
hear their jeers at the weakness of the sickly pale face squaw. 

These horrible scenes so worked upon my nerves, that for two 
days I lay in a helpless condition. During that time I resolved to 
escape, if a possibility of such a feat presented itself. The second 
day of my illness brought with it a visit from Deitosie, who was 
accompanied by a tall fine looking Indian, whom she informed me, 
(aside,) was thought to be crazy by the Brule tribe; but who, she 
assured me, was far from being a lunatic. Trouble had brought 
upon him eccentric manners. 

After conversing awhile with Deitosie, I opened a correspondence 
with the young Indian chief) who eventually allowed himself to run 
into his old train of thoughts, and I finally persuaded him to give 
mc his story of sufferings, adventure, and go^aw, la full, of whioh 
I propofM making a separate chapter. 



e* 




CHAPTER IT. 

IK ^HICH WAJLVATAA RELATES HIS STORT OF 8TRANOB AND DA& 
ING ADVENTURE, EXTREMELY THRILLING IN ITS NATURE. 

; Y tribe ia that which waa once known only as the " Dako- 
taa," but the greater part of which ia now termed the 
Sioux. My people have wronged me greatly, and I shall 
never return to them. My people are mostly what you 
term aavagea, and many of them are drunkards, the in- 
fluence of your civilization being forced upon them principally in. 
the shape of " fire-water." To become a chief among the Sioux, 
one must, at least, have scalped a warrior of another tribe, and prove 
to have done bo, by producing the scalp; I was not naturally di* 
posed to acquire either of these bloody trophies, and cousequentl;^ 
I was despised as a coward by my people; although I had never 
shown any fear in fighting or exposing my life, whenever we in 
vaded the territory of the Pawnees, with whom we were constantly 
IB warfare. 

During one of these expeditions, 1 ventured myself rather near 
one of the Pawnee villages, many miles distant from our country, 
expecting to find an opportunity for some exploit of bravery or 
diill ; which might prove that I was not such a coward as my peo- 
ple supposed me to be, for none of them had ever gone alone so 
aear, or rather among the Pawnees, being thus exposed to thejr 
scalping knife, and full vent of their hatred. 

Seeing no warrior about the village, that the main body of its. 
warriors was absent on an excursion ; so I laid myself down in an 
ambush among the bushes, where I waited for some adventure. 
The great light of the world had already sunk half its way down, 
when I saw % beautiful Pawnee girl approaching me, as innocently 



MISS BARBER'S NARRATIVE. i& 

.ii a lamb might approach a hidden wolf. I did not stii but let her 
paas by, while I scaroelj breathed for fear I should frighten her. 
As she passed I withdrew a little from my concealment, and turning 
nhe saw me. At first she was startled, I arose to my feet ; but 
instead of running away she stood still, and waited until I had 
reached her, when she smiled and said : "Although you are a Sioux, 
vou will neither kill nor strike me ; for your eyes look mild, and 
they speak a language which tells me you are good and brave and 
would not harm me." 

This confiding address disarmed me, and throwing away my 
■weapons to show my friendly intentions, I said in reply, " Fair 
maiden, your words are sweet, and your features vie with the 
brilliancy of the morning sun. If I were not a Sioux, I would be 
« Pawnee and hunt for you alone. Tell me your name, fair maiden," 

She looked down and said : " Although you are a Sioux, I lik» 
to believe in your friendliness, and shalL First tell me your name." 

" Waanataa I " 

" Then you are the grandson of the far-famed chief? Well, my 
name is Diora, the daughter of Petalso, whom they call the bravest 
of the braves." 

" Then," said I, " Diora, the daughter of Petalso, is a fit companion 
for Waanataa. Wi^l she accompany him as his squaw ? " 

She made answer: "Diora is an orphan now. No Pawnee has 
yet moved her heart. She has seen Waanataa and will follow him." 

When she concluded I caught her in my arms, invoking the sanc- 
tion and aid of the Great Spirit to our nnion, and answered in 
delight from my soul : " Diora has my heart, none other shall have 
my lodge, and for thee alone will I hunt tlie forest game." 

We then sat down and ate together our first common meal, a por- 
tion of my provisions taken along with me, looking and smiling at 
each other. Some hours past until we thought of leaving, a diffi- 
culty by n» means easily got over, when, as if to aid our flight, tho 
sun oecame obscured by passing clouds, which were of a settled 
nature, and would thus hide the moon's rising, and fovor our flight 
toward my home 



^if MISS BARBER'S NARRATIVE 

We walked along swiftly, but in silence, until the bright morning 
star ascended from beyond the far mountains, and joy lighted up its 
face ; it a welcome to tis gave. Suddenly I heard a distant noise, 
a-nd before long the war whoop of the Pawnee rang in our ears. 
Diora trembled, and exclaimed: " Mackatana-Namakee I (Black 
Thunder.) His band, they are going to invade your country 1 " 1 
ti-ied to soothe my frightened dove, who now informed me, in a few 
words, that she had some time ago refused to become the squaw of 
Black Thunder, the leader of the body of Pawnee now approaching; 

I had almost given up in deepaii", when, to my great surprise and 
intense gratification, 1 beheld three horses, caparisoned with Pawnee 
saddles, tied to trees directly in front of us. \Vithout stopping to 
inquire for their owners, I hastily seated Diora on one, mounted 
myself upon another, and with a joyful heart urged them onward. 
The swiftness and strength of our noble horses could alone pave us 
from destruction at the hands of Black Thunder, whose vengeance 
would thus be doubly satisfactory, on account of rejected love and 
of national hatred. But I was resolved that he should neither cap- 
ture my bride, nor dance round my scalp ; and we dashed along at 
a wonderful speed, for of noble blood our suddenly acquired horses 
provea. 

Thus we flew o'er the ground, followed closely by Black Thunder, 
who had now obtained a sight of us. On, on, we went, the demon 
Pawnee and his band following like a gloomy cloud chased by winds, 
whose howling was more than outdone by the dreadful war whoop of 
our tierce pursuers. Two of my pursuers were greatly in advance of 
the others. When the foremost got near enough, he fired his rifle at 
us, but in vain. I then wielded and stopped my horse, aimed and 
fired, whereupon my would-be assassin fell from his horse, dead; 
but in the meantime tlie other Pawnee had reached to within aimin<' 
distance, when he too fired upon us, but luckily without effect. lie 
still push©d Ibrward however, and seeing that we were likely to end 
ihis scene by a hand-to-hand encounter, I dismounted, giving my 
horse's rein to Diora, whom I bade bold fast and remain near me. 




■" >IY SUFFERINGS KNEW NO BOUNDS. THE FIEND WAS AT NO LOSS TO DEVISK 

SCHEMES OF TORTUKE." 

^aReinc S*\t>tr\ no^men fein Siii>e. ®er geiub lam m mi aScrlegen^eit, nene Dualcn jtt erfinlnn.'' 



MISS BARBER'S NARRATIVE. 4t 

I had hardly dismounted, when, with an angry snort my horse je Ved 
loose from her grasp, and ran away. This was unfortunate, but 
there was no time for thoughts of that kind, for my antagonist was 
^ now apon me. 

As he came near he* cast a glance toward Diora. A sudden fur- 
ious yell escaped him; but I claimed his attention with my toma- 
'jiawk, which clanked against his with repeated strokes, till at le^igLh 
*j lost his balance, and fell from his horse with a heavy groan, for 
with a sudden blow, in which was centred all my strength, I brought 
my tomahawk down with a force which sent it slicing through his 
right shoulder and completely severed his arm from his body. In 
falling his foot caught in the stirrup, and his head came in violent 
contact with a rock close by. He uow seemed to wait for being 
scalped and killed ; but I, although his fair vanquisher, declined 
taking the trophy, nor did I kill him ; to save Diora was my only 
purpose, and I should feel my cheeks with very shame burning, had 
J struck a conquered and fallen enemy. 

With a leap I now swung myself upon the back of Black Thun 
der's horse, leaving its owner prostrate, and about half dead on the 
ground ; for I had no time to spare, as my enemies were now in a 
body close upon me. It would have been madness to confront this 
great number, and wisely I decided in favor of flight. 

My enemies, as soon as they came to their fallen leader, stopped, 
snd remained busily engaged about him ; while every moment thus 
spent was a new lease of life to me and mine. He was perhaps 
induced, by my generosity in sparing his life and in not scalping 
him, to forbid his warriors all further pursuit of us, or remained un- 
<;onsciou8, or was dead ; and they would not fight without him, for 
we saw no more of them that day. 

Diora was very talkative, both in riding and resting; and related 
t,o me some very interesting incidents of her father's and grand - 
itther's tribes, which I now try to repeat in her own words, as near 
•as possible: — 

" When my fathe'- waa still v«ry yoang, though he had already 

4 



50 MISS BAKBER'S NARRATIVE 

distinguished himself in battles, for which our people esteemed him 
as a chief, the Pawnees made war on the Iteans, of whom a young 
squaw was captured by one of our warriors. 

•' He gave her up to the medicine-man, who doomed her to b© 
barned alive at the stake, in sacrifice to the Great Star. Leteel, my 
great and famous grandfather, whom they called with great respect 
the Knife-chief, had always opposed that old cruel custom of our 
people; but they listened more to the medicine-man, than to him, 
except in warfare. So the unfortunate Itean squaw was bound to 
the stake around which our people assembled in large crowds, to 
see her die in the flames. 

" My father was sitting silent among the spectators. The flames 
had nearly reached their intended victim, when, lo 1 the young chief 
stood suddenly by her side, tore the binding ropes asunder, and 
carried her in his arms past the perplexed crowds, to a place at 
some distance, where he had previously fastened two swift horses. 
These horses they mounted and soon disappeared from the view of 
the astonished multitude. He conveyed her safe to the Itean coun- 
try ; and returned to his own, unconcerned at the consequences of 
his daring act, which no other Pawnee warrior would have done ; 
but none durst censure him, not even the medicine-man, who was 
the most disappointed of all ; and the virtuous Leteel approved the 
good action of his noble son, of whom he was not a little proud. 

*' Before getting married, my father was sent by our people to 
the Great Father at Washington, the big village of the whites, 
where their fine and young squaws tried every means to move his 
heart, and loved him very much ; because they had heard how he 
rescued the young Itean squaw, telling him he was brave, good, 
everything that was noble, and they gave him a medal made of 
metal bright which they called silver, and on it were marks, which 
were to mean such fine words, that I learned them by heart from my 
mother, who tome repeated them so often: '5ro<Aer, accept thi.-^ 
token of our esteem ; always wear it for our sakes, and when again 
?ou h»ve the power to save a young woman from torture or from 



MISS B ABBER'S NARRATI VK 61 

death, remember this and us, and fly to her rescue.' He wore that 
medal attached to a string, and was very proud of it. When he 
died, he requested to be buried with it still around hia neck. 

"After his return from the wigwam of the white chief, he went to 
<he Ilean village, and brought back with him the maiden whom he 
had saved ; and she was my mother. I am justly proud of my 
Catlie,- the ' Bravest of the Braves.' " 

(Here Waanataa sighed deeply ; and after quite a silence, he pro- 
ceeded with his story.) 

It was a fine sunny morning when we reached my native place ; 
one of the villages in the Sioux country, and belonged to the Lo 
tribe. The appearance of a Pawnee squaw there was so extraordi- 
nary an event, that in a few moments after our arrival, we were sur- 
rounded by a crowd of men, women, and children. Our Sioux 
squaws looked first with evident jealousy at my beautiful Diora; 
however, they could not for a long time resist her charming inno- 
cence; and when she entreated them, with tears in her handsome 
eyes, to adopt her as a sister and daughter, their hearts melted to- 
wards her. My fellow-warriors did not, particularly the younger 
ones, show any marks of opposition when I publicly declared her 
to be my wife ; but eventually, some of the aged warriors, in accoril- 
ance with, and probably instigated by our old medicine-man, became 
violently opposed to my union with a Pawnee squaw. They stuck 
to their old customs, which did not allow intermarriage between 
Sioux and Pawnees ; and the present war between the two tribes 
was far from favoring an exception in our behalf. 

My friendly endeavors to conciliate my old, stubborn opponents 
failed ; and I was too isolated among my companions, on account 
of my peaceable disposition, and my antipathy to scalping and kill 
ing our prisoners, or else I would have made a violent resistance to 
•uch cruel oppression. I determined upon the use of cunning to 
circumvent my oppressors, who had really organized a conspirao)' 
to ruin me; which purported that I myself had conspired against 
oay own people, haying v they asserted, become a friend to theix 



52 MISS BARBER'S NARRATIVE. 

enemies, the Pawnees, to whom they said I would betray them 
whenever I could. 

It lay in my plan seemingly to yield and submit, as far as I could, 
to whatever our people's council should decide concerning my mar- 
riage with Diora ; but indeed I was resolved rather to die with her 
than live without her. One day I returned from hunting, and did 
not find her before our lodge, where she usually waited for my 
return. Instead of her, I found there an old warrior, who had 
always been my friend, and who informed me that she was a pris- 
oner in the lodge of our medicine-man ; that it was surrounded by 
a body of our warriors, and that I could not see her until we both 
should undergo a public examination, to be held the jext day 
before our council. He added that she had refused to answer any 
question, except in my presence, and with ray consent, declaring, 
" Diora does not fear any of you ; for she is the grand-daughter of 
Leteel, the daughter of Petalso, and the wife of Waanataa!" 

This unexpected boldness on her part, who had always been so 
quiet and modest, had greatly astonished and puzzled them all. 
They had been so awe-struck at hearing those celebrated names in 
such a connection with hers and mine, that none spoke a word in 
reply to her, whose origin had been a secret to every one of them ; 
but my mind misgave me bad consequences, from exposing that 
secret in the present circumstances. Unable now to do anything 
for her rescue — for what could I do but die in fighting alone ?-^I Suf- 
fered and waited with great impatience the dawn of the coming day, 
when all the warriors of our village assembled before the lodge of 
our medicine-man, who presided over our council in this case. 

I knew that he was the instigator of all the mischief against me; 
for he had never been my friend, on account of the dislike I enter- 
tained towards the customs of scalping, etc., which he, as a bloo^i- 
ihirsty priest, would not give up, as they helped to preserve the 
^^eclining power of priest-craft. As soon as the necessary silence 
prevailed around the assembly, he rose and said in a solemn and 
mypter'^us voice: "Waanataa! you are charged with conspiring 



MISS BARBEK'S NARRATITK 9^ 

against your people, the Sioux, by your oonnection with <m 
eaemies, the Pawnees. Defend yourself^ if you can, before these 
warriors, yrho are your natural judges." . 

. , *' Let first my accuser step fortl^ ! " cried I, with a resolute conscious- 
ness of my innocence. " Let rine confound him, whoever h« may 
be, as a bcise liar I " 

"Well," said the haughty priest, "/am your accuser, and the 
|»eople know that I am inspired by the Great Spirit, and cannot 
therefore utter an untruth." 

" Then you are a base liar ! " cried 1, in a firm voice, " for you do 
not think what you now say, nor do you believe that I am guilty ; 
or else you would look me straight in the face as I do you. You 
cast down your eyes, knowing that you speak falsely, whilst 1 look 
every one here assembled into the face as an honest warrior should." 

All my young fellow- warriors began to express their approbation 
for me, in a rather loud murmur of applause; while older ones 
looked at the confounded priest, who did not utter one word in 
reply to what I bad said against him. 

"Fathers and brothers," contmued I, "could you ever suppose 
dae grand-son of Waanataa to be a traitor to his people? I have 
perhaps done more for my people than any warrior of my age 
among you. I have in a single fight vanquished Mackatana- 
Namakee 1 " 

"Black Thunder," echoed a hundred veices around me; whilst 
the glance of each warrior was directed in admiration toward me. 
for none presumed to doubt my word; except the lying priest 
whose face lit up with a malicious look of anticipated triumph, and 
who sneesringly observed : — , tnytQ <^ Vj 

" Prove that you have been the vanquisher of Mackatana-Nama- 
kee. Slmw us Oie scalp of Black T7iun(lery 

"No Sioux will ever doubt tlie word of a Sioux warrior; for 
never a Sioux warrior was a liar I " So saying I cast a firm look 
upon my false accuser, who durst not raise his eyes, while his features 
beapoi^-e a suppressed rage at the outburst of applause that followed. 



Bf* MISS BARBER'S KARRATIVEL 

I now related my adventures with Diora and my fight with th« 
Pawaoes, adding: '^Fathers and brothers, you all know my anti- 
pathy to scalping and killing a vanquished and fallen foe; I would 
not and could not scalp or kill Black Thunder when I had him com- 
pletely in my power; but I have either by my tomahawk or my 
generosity, prevented him from an invasion into our country, 
which with his band he intended. Therefore, I presume to have 
well deserved of my people, and I claim the reward due to me, as 
to a gallant warrior. I claim the rank of a chief among you." 

" Waanataa must become a chief! " cried all the young warriors in 
& chorus. " Waanataa has vanquished Black Thunder I Macka- 
tana-Namakee fell by the tomahawk of Waanataa {" 

Never shall I forget that moment of triumph over my deceitful, 
miserable en«my, who sat there as if he were in ex^Hsctation to b« 
Bcalped. The great voting took place, and I wa* almost unani 
mously declared to be a chief. 

In the meantime, the cunning priest had invented another plan tfe 
destroy my life's happiness in a manner that my ratk as a chief 
must lose all its value to me. With an apparent resignation 
to the common will of our warriors, he acknowledged th^i* privilege 
of electing me as one of their chiefs, observing that ho supposed, 
and expected, I would follow his example in submitting to every 
other decision of the people's majority, upon which I answered that 
I should certainly do so, liot supposing thus to seal in advajce with 
ray own lipe the sentence of my noble Diora's death. 

" Well," said he with assumed dignity, "I speak to all the S oux — 
men, women, and children. Listen iomel I talk to you ,n the 
■<,a7ne of the Qreai Spirit. Is here any family who have not to » »ourn 
;it least one slain by the Pawnees, our constant irreconcilable *oes? 
Is here no widow who lost her husband by a Pawnee? An here 
no orphans who lost their father by a Pawnee ? Is here no m 'the> 
who lost her brave son by a Pawnee ? Again, is here no Siorj 
warrior who has to revenge the death of a father or a son, or a W***^,^' 
hiUed hy a Pawnee ? " 




TERRIBLE ENCOUNTER BETWEEN THE INDIAN CHIEF AND TUB HUNTER, 
LKBOY, ON "devil's CLIFF." 

Bt^ftrfRc^cr «ttmj>f jtpift^en b«ra 5nl>iancr-§au|5tlinfl m\) bm Sdfler Ccrolj an >«r „SeufeleflH)pe.' 



MISS B iRBER'S NARRATIVE. f^ 

This abominable appeal to natural grief and national vengeance, 
which the cunning impostor knew thus to excite, was interrupted 
and answered by a general, horrible outbreak of lamertations ar'1 
groans, which gradually grew louder and louder, till they weir 
raised to the highest possible pitch, and turned into the yells of th(* 
dreadful war-wh(K-)p. I stood alone, unmoved an<l cool, in the ter- 
rible storm that surrounded me, because I tliought of nothing else but 
the rascality of the artful priest, who continued : 

"There he stands! unconcerned in your griefs and indifferent at 
your anger, only thinking of his love for a Pawnee sqnaw, the grand- 
daughter of Leteel and the daughter of Petaiso, called the ' Bravest of 
the Braves,^ because he killed more Sioux than any other Pawnee 
ever did. Listen to me / I speak to you in the name of the Great 
Spirit. Let her be sacrificed in memory of all the Sioux whose deaths 
were the triumphs of the Pawnees." 

" Let her die ! let her die at the stake I " interrupted him a thousand 
fold echo, that struck my heart with fear which I had never felt 
before that moment in my life ; but my wonted courage soon returned 
to me, and I struggled in my mind for some calmness, to address 
the assembly, when Diora, who had heard every thing, broke through 
the door of the priest's lodge, followed by two of her guards, who 
both retreated when they saw me. With one leap I was by her 
Bide, and with raised tomaliawk, exclaimed, " Who dares strike 
Diora strikes through me. Who will fight with Waanataa ? Let 
him come forward and say he dares to raise his tomahawk against 
the grand son of the great Waanataa I " None stirred, and all, even 
the old chiefs and warriors, remained silent, while I looked around 
with a calm fury which showed my resolution t» fight, and to die 
if needs be, for my beloved wife ; but she placed her soft hand upo i 
my mouth, and said with the true meekness of a daughter of the- 
Great Spirit : " No bloodshed, Waanataa ; let me die for you. 
Diora does not fear death." And casting a steadfast look upon the 
cruel homicide priest, she said in a firm and loud voice : " Prepare 
four ntak*^ I I am the grasd-daughter of Leteel, and the daughter 



58 MISS BARBER'S NARRATIVE. 

of Petalso, the Bravest of the Braves,' I will shov you that I ha^e 
deserved to be Waanataa's wifb, in dying for him without fear." 

All sat in silence, as if they were struck by the streaked-light 
from heaven ; but before any of them could answer, I had seized 
Diora, and carried her out of the assembly to our lodge, where my 
good runner stood ready for any emergency, and mounting with 
Diora, I left my country and my people, who, laboring under a 
tyrannical priest-craft, would probably have sacrificed me and my 
beloved wife to a wicked impostor, if we had longer exposed our- 
selves to their superstition and his malignity. 

Three days and nights we rode, only stopping for rest as often as 
necessary for us and our horse, avoiding the Pawnee country, vrhile 
we withdrew from that of the Sioux. We were now both withv>ut 
« home. 

On the morning of the fourth day we found a place fit for a longer 
stay. It was a natural cave in a rock, and we were both delighted 
to find running near its entrance a beautiful little spring of cold, 
clear water. When we had completed our little arrangements I pre 
pared and left for hunting. 

I was fortunate enough, as a skilful hunter, to provide an abun- 
dance before the snow fell, in which we were almost buried for some 
two or three moons. In the fcJlowing summer my Diora, through 
the Great Spirit, gave birth to a fine and hardy son, and thus was 
o-ur happiness increased. We called our sou Na-em-ecco (Child of 
the Cave, Kl.) 

But our solitude filled me at last with apprehension — what wou'.d 
become of my wife and child were I to die ? My antipathy to any 
connection with other people was therefore overcome by connubial 
and fatherly love ; I resolved to look out for some distant neighbor 
with whom I could deal to mutual advantage. Diora had nc 
objection to what I proposed, and leaving her well su})plied with 
meat, I started out, promising to return ere the falling of the first 
snow. I started for the south, in order to avoid the Sioux, whom I 
desired l«8S to meet than the Pawneea. After travelling along for a 



MISS BARBER'S NARRATI7B. m 

time, with the aid of my faithful horse, during which time the moon 
changed and regained its roundness, I reached a large village of the 
Sac and Fox Indians, whom I supposed would be friendly toward a 
eingle and peaceable Sioux. I was unfortunately greatly mistaken 
iu this, as they had, or presumed to have, strong reasons for consider- 
ing and treating every Sioux as an enemy. In their last war wliich 
they waged under " Black Eagle " against the whites, their chief 
was made a prisoner by a band of one hundred Sioux, who killed 
over eighty Sacs and Foxes in one fight, and delivered Black Eagle 
to th« whites. In consequence of these bloody and wicked acts, 
peformed by a number of Sioux, the hatred of the Sac and Fox 
tribes fell upon all the Sioux, and as I had the misfortune of being 
one of the latter, although a mere boy when the circumstance 
occurred, I was doomed to suffer for the acts of my people who 
had compelled me to leave my home with them for one in the 
wilderness. 

I had scarcely come within arrow-shot of the village when the 
war-whoop sounded, and in a few minutes I was surrounded by a 
body of their warriors. An old Fox chief made a motion of silence 
to his companions, who immediately obeyed him, and he said with 
dignity : 

" Why has the Sioux dared to approach our village? Your 
brothers have slain many of our best warriors, and delivc/ed our 
chief to our enemies. Although we have since buried the bloody 
tomahawk, and smoked the calumet of peace with our pale-tace 
enemies, we have not done so with our red ones, the Sioui , who are 
all traitors, and therefore you shall die in sacrifice to the Great 
Spirit. I have spoken." 

"That is right, wise and brave warrior," answered I, with a calm 
resignation, knowing that a contradictory reply would have 
instantly caused my death. "If you say so, I must die; but I know 
that the Sacs and Foxes are great warriors and no cowards ; and 
know that they are right in killing their enemies ; I know that 
^very in^iior ought to be killed like a rattle-snake ; I know that th» 



60 MISS BARBER'S NARRATIVE. 

Sioux have been traitors to you, and that fhey are worse than mt 
rattle-snakes. Now listen to me ! / am no more a Sioux , my 
people have acted worse toward me and mine than they ever did 
to you, and I have left them never to join them again. Adopt me 
iS your brother; give me an opportunity of proving to you my 
faithfulness. I have spoken 1 " 

" Our council can alone decide upon your fate," replied the old 
chief. *' I will neither give warrant for your veracity, because you 
are still a Sioux in appearance, nor will I seek to raise doubt of your 
sincerity, because truth shines in your face. In the meantime, till 
the decision of our council, you are a prisoner among us and must 
submit to the common treatment of such." 

I was pinioned, and led through the village, like a culprit, sur- 
rounded by a body of warriors, and followed by a crowd of wom-en 
and children, hooting after me, " Dog of a Sioux 1 Traitor ! Kill 
him ! kill him 1 " and throwing stones at me, and otherwise heaping 
indignities upon my person. 

My prison was a large, miserable, decaying lodge, palisaded and 
continually watched by three warriors, who never answered my 
frequent inquiries as to the decision of my fate. How can I give 
you an idea of my sufferings when I thought of my wife and child ? 
What would become of them if I returned not before the falling of 
the snow, and winter sun by sun drawing nearer ? Agony, agony, 
and no other prospect of release from my prison, but a prisoner's 
death. . 

My pinions, the high palisades around my prison, and my con- 
stant three watchers, reminded me at every moment of the impossi- 
bilities of escape, and a fit of madness came over me when, with 
feelings of horror and despair, I beheld flakes of snow slowly falling 
to the ground. I groaned in my agony ; and my silent watchers 
exchanged significant looks with each other, as if they understood 
my f^ry, which they ascribed to a mere feeling of revenge at my 
\onf c^iptivity ; they showed me their tomahawks, as if these were 
tlw aUy meani to stop my groans and check my fury. I had 



MISS BARBER'S NARRATIVE, 41 

wp-wtedly told my story, but without any success; for none of my 
watchers had returned, so that I supposed, at length, all the Sacs 
and Foxes would come successively to watch mo till my deaths and 
when the last three had had their turn to see a suffering Sioux, 
doomed to die, they would proceed to effect their purpose. 

Winter passed and spring came, while no change took place m 
my terrible situation : my despair became permanent, and would 
Have turned to indifference, had it not been kept up by every 
thought of my poor Diora, and our dear child. I hoped against 
hope, that they were in a comfortable situation. Six full moons 
had now filled the cup of ray sufferings to the brim. I had a 
thousand times invoked the aid of the Great Spirit to my rescue 
from this tomb of living misery. The scanty food which I received 
had reduced my strength to that of a child ; when one evening the 
old chief, of whom I have previously spoken, came into the lodge 
and said : " Sioux, to-morrow you shall appear before our people." 
Without waiting for my answer, he left me again to my despair, as 
I could not guess whether or not my death was to be the topic of 
his people's conversation or amusement, on the following sun. 

The sun was yet young when the old chief appeared again, caused 
my pinions to be taken off, and bade me follow him, which com- 
mand I with difficulty obeyed. 

A wide semi-circle of warriors was opened at our approach, and 
closed after we had entered. The old chief took a seat in the 
middle of the bow, and between other chiefs, and gave me a scat 
among theirs, which was so placed that they could see my face when 
I* sat upon it. A deep silence prevailed for a few moments, but 
soon two men on the left wing of the semicircle began to beat upon 
k pair of drums, to the time of which those who formed the other 
end of the circle commenced a council-dance. 

I now thought that I was not doomed to death, aUhough nothing 
else gave me the least idea of what T had to expect ; .for none of 
the features around me showed any signs of good or evil intentions, 
and I therefore exhibited the same apparent indifference. 



162 MISS BARBER'S NARRATIVR 

The council-dance lasted about one hour, during which I wa» 
attentivelj observed ; while only the sounds of the drums inter- 
rnf)ted the deep silence which prevailed, and proved the solemnity 
of the council-dance. At its conclusion the old chief bade me rise, 
f did so, and he then said : — 

*' Sioux ! Listen to me I The Sacs and Foxes are no cowards ) 
None of us ^irst after your blood, because you have behaved like 
a man, and not spoken a bad word against us during your lone 
captivity ; for if you had, we would have killed you in sacrifice to 
the Great Spirit, by whom you were led among us. You have well 
overcome your hard trial. Now you are free, to leave us or to join 
us. If you think we have wronged you, ask for satisfaction, and 
you shall be satisfied. Will you fight ? Challenge any of us. Will 
you marry ? Choose any one of our daughters and you shall have 
her. Tell us what you want, and if we can we will grant it you 
now. I have spoken." 

" Oh, fathers and brothers," cried I, in a frenzy of despair, " give 
me my arms and my horse, that I may speed me to my poor wife and 
child, whom I left in yonder wilderness. I came hither as your 
friend and have become your son and brother, but you have treated 
me as a foe and traitor ; you have confined me in your prison-lodge 
so long, that my poor wife and child must have perished during the 
winter. Let me return to my wife and child!" 

My lamentations produced a visible effect on all present, and the 
great chief rose and offered me his sympathy. By his order, my 
arms and horse were immediately brought, the latter much better 
fed than myself. Every kind of blankets, skins, and provision* 
appeared in a few minutes, and about a dozen well-mounted war- 
riors declared voluntarily their willingness to accompany me to my 
retreat in the wilderness, and back to their village afterwards, if 1 
chose to return with them. 

After taking a friendly leave of all, I started with my companions 
in search of my wife. Seven times had the moon changed its light 
•inoe my separation from my beloved wife and child I 




ATTEMPT TO ESCAPE. MY CAPTURE, AND CRUEL TREATMEKT. 



MISS BARBER'S NARRATIVE. ^ 

-Many suns had eome and gone' since the departure of myself and 
comrades, when I saw, by the appearance of the mountains in the 
east, that we were within a half sun's rido of my dear ones. I pre- 
Availed upon my friends to allow themselves a good night's rest — 
gave them the necessary information to eiiable them to follow me on 
the rise of the morrow's sun, and started with my faithful runner. 

I rode on during the length of darkness without interruption, 
and with the sun's light I approached our cave in the rock. I saw 
nowhere around it any trace of a human being! Breathless I stood 
before the cavern's entrance; while nothing broke the silence but 
the violent beatings of mine own heart, as motionless I stood listen- 
ing and watching for some signs of life ; but I heard and saw 
nothing. 

"Diora," whispered I, with a fainting voice; no answer. "M 
dear wife," said I, a little louder, buf scarcely advancing a step, an. 
trembling from head to foot, whilst chills ran through my body, 
and large drops of water dropped fVom off my forehead ; still no 
answer 1 " Diora," cried I, at length, in despair. Listening again 
for some reply, I heard with emotions of joy my name, " Waanataa" 
spoken in a faint whisper. In an instant I had cleared the cavern's 
entrance and stood beside my own Diora. 

Oh 1 never, never shall I think, without a shudder, of the dread- 
ful sight which my beloved, and our dear child presented to my 
eyes I They were both lying upon our couch of moss, both emaci- 
ated like skeletons, both stained with blood, which filled me with 
intense horror, for it led me to believe that they had, in some dread- 
ful manner, been wounded ; but with feelings, none can describe, I 
soon discovered my mistake, for I saw the drained breast of the 
unhappy mother, the suckling babe with his little mouth upon her 
left »rm, of which she had opened the artery to let him drink her 
-life's blood, thinking that Ms life might thus be preserved, for a 
time, although at the sacrifice of her own, which was now nearly 
e^-tMct 

Wken Diora cast again for the last time her sunken eyes at me, 
i 



^ MJSS BARBER'S NARRATIVE. 

her once lovely features brightened with % smile : which in its very 
coming brought with it the old, handsome expression, and she 
whispered, " Dear Waanataa, you have come at last, as come I knew 
you would, but we must now part forever, the Great Spirit haa 
called me ; but he has been very good to me, for he denied me not 
yoir presence in my last moments." I tried to close her mouth 
with a kiss while thus she spoke, and with that kiss a rivulet of. 
tears flowed, which seemed to bear upon the bosom of its waters 
niy very heart, in agonizing grief, thus floating on toward the bridge 
of wrecked despair. 

" Dear Diora," I managed to utter between my sobs of grief, " you 
are very weak and must not talk, let me first give you drink, and 
then prepare you nourishing food." I fetched some water in a 
leather cup from our little spring, poured it over a handful of meal, 
stirred it up with maple sugar, the two mixed with the leaves of 
some berries growing near by, and presented it to my poor Diora, 
who, with the natural, self-denying love of a tender mother, gave her 
starving baby first to drink, before she thought of partaking herself; 
while I knelt and wept, unable to further speak. 

My efforts were all in vain ; I could not save the lives of my 
dear ones I The Great Spirit claimed them as his own. At the set- 
tine sun the star of my life lost its light, became extinguished ; anu 
in no presence, save that of the Great Spirit, I stood alone beside 
the dead 1 

When my companions, after continuing their journey in the 
moon's light, reached my cave, now a vault of death, they found 
me sitting and weeping beside the inanimate bodies of her whom I 
had once called Diora, and him whom we in suns past had named, 
with joyous hearts, Ne-em-ecco. 

My friends had the manly delicacy not to interfere in my mourn- 
ing; they left me alone in my grief all the night, observing an aw- 
ful silence while they lay encamped in the vicinity. Contrary tv> 
the custom of Sioux, who generally wrap a corpse in a blanl^t or 
»kin, a'^d px^t it on the tops of four trees, where tt decays in the 



MISS BARBER'S NARRATIVE. 67 

open air, I buried the bodies of my dear ones in the cave, which 
thus became a real vault of death. After the burial I remember 
no subsequent events until two moons had pa.ssed,when waking from 
my long fevered sleep, I found myself once more among the Fox 
and Sacs tribes. As soon as I regained sufficient strength I de- 
parted, refusing all proffers of friendship ; and for many moons I 
roamed far and wide, until I at length arrived among the Brule- 
Sioux, with whom I have since remained. But sorrow sits deep 
upon my soul, life has no allurements for me, for I know not where 
o turn. 

" Perhaps, dear Wazora " (my Indian name), said "Waanataa, as he 

oncluded his narrative, " perhaps my story has tired you ? " 

" Oh, no," I answered, " it has proved very interesting to me, and 

deeply sympathize with you in your great sorrow." 

Waanataa thanked me and withdrew from the lodge. Deitosie 

ind 1 remained in conversation for some time afterward, when she 

^o left me. Shortly after her departure little Leeonoge(Temul]e'8 

foung squaw) entered, and we were soon conversing in quite an 

inimated and friendly manner, in fact Leeonoge and I had been 

^ood friends from our first acquaintance. What was my surprise 

So learn from her lips that Temulle intended, that very day, to take 

anto himself another squaw. Soon we heard the Indian drums bea^, 

and sounds of " Kee-wan-ah " were yelled by hundreds of voices. 

With difficulty I almost dragged myself to the entrance of the lodge, 

fcnd there for the first time witnessed an Indian marriage. 

The young Indians are led, both by precept and example, to 
adopt the married life ; and instances of celibacy very rarely continue, 
more particularly on the part of males, much beyond the period of 
mature puberty. Old bachelors, settled in their towns and villa<'ea, 
ire a race of beings altogether unknown; I have however known 
i few who led a wandering life, sometimes attaching themselviM tp 
me tribe, and sometimes to another. 

Early marriages ar^ more frequent in tribes bordering on the white 
«ttlementa than n those which are more remotely situated : and tha 



6i MISS BAKBER'S NARRATIVE. 

practice is encouraged by the old men, who however say that when 
they were young they did not marry, nor even think of being called 
men, until twenty winters had passed over their heads. The inter- 
course with whites, they maintain, has enervated the warriors, 
caused the Indians to be more indolent, quarrelsome, and wicked ; 
and materially shortened the period of their existence. 

On the occasion of Temulle's marriage to his fourth wife, he walked 
majestically toward the North first, and then successively toward 
the East, South, and West. During this time the horrible drums 
were fiercely beaten, yells were heard on all sides, and great excite- 
ment appeared to prevail. Then came silence, and with it the squaw 
to whom he was to be married, and who really was far from being an 
ill looking woman. She went through the same performance, but 
after walking a certain distance westward she turned, and retrac- 
ing her steps about half the way, halted, and taking an ear of corn 
from beneath the folds of her dress, deposited it upon the ground, 
Jemulle then walked forward, picked up the ear of corn, and amid 
furious yells, threw it far above him. This signified an acceptance. 
She went immediately up to him and seized his right wrist, and 
said: " Meemole is proud, happy, humble, and will do all work for 
the great chief Temulle." He then, in a loud voice, candidly pro- 
claimed the warm attachment he entertained for Meemole, widow 
of Stameollo the warrior, and at the same time presented her with 
the heart of an elk (as I afterward learned), a buffalo robe, and, to 
my astonishment, a gold chain and locket, which I had worn 
before our marriage. The reader may readily imagine this whole 
scene as being somewhat of a sensation to me, and will I am sure 
foTo-ive my weakness when it is taken into consideration that I had 
at least a one-fourth interest in the possession of the man Jius reck- 
lessly throwing himself away. But what of that, on my own head 
fell the folly of my deeds ; so let us look at the next chapter, and. if 
poajdblo; digest the matter therein contained 




aVITAilflA/ RAH gfelM 0'* 

CHAPTER V. 

TXLLB A QRKAT MANY THINGS CONNECTED WITH MY LIFfc AUONQ 
THE INDIANS, AND HOW I DID NOT ESCAPE, ETC., ETC. 

JEEMOLE, widow of Stameollo, brought an addition into the 
family besides herself. This addition was in the shape of 
a nine-year-old boy, who then and in after years proved 
one of my greatest tormentors. For instance, he would, 
instigated by his mother, place himself in a favorable 
position, and then with his toy bow and arrows (a very uncivilized 
specie of toy I may here remark), he would aim at any portion of 
my limbs which might accidentally become exposed while I attended 
to cooking and other domestic arrangements. I did not dare to 
retaliate, for such a proceeding would not have been tolerated by 
either his mother or step-father. Temulle had since his marriage 
with Meemole become a perfect tyrant, and I resolved to escape if 
possible. I gave up in despair being ever able to accomplish good 
in a missionary point of view, and therefore my religious views did 
not deter me from a fixed determination to immediately attempt the 
step. 

But, in the midst of thoughts of escape, a serious accident occurred to 
me which bade fair to put an end to my lease of life. Whilst stand- 
ing in conversation, one evening, with Deitosie and Waanataa, I 
felt a co-Id substance next the flesh of my leg, and jumping from the 
spot, I with a shudder heard the rattle, and beheld a ruttlesD;ike! 
, At first I was thankful for my escape from the venomous bite of 
the reptile ; but suddenly I felt a stinging sensation, and upon exami- 
nation found that I had actually been badly bitten. Waanataa 
immediately discovered the true state of ailairs, and with a sprint' 



70 MISS BARBEK'S NARRATIVE 

forward he reached the rattlesnake, with one blow of his tomahawk 
sew red its head from its body, and quickly commenced skinning 
and cutting it to pieces. 

Meanwhile, from fright, I lay senseless. The squaws in the village 
soon gained intelligence of the occurrence, and were seen running 
about, and stooping now and then ; but Deitosie had not been idle, 
and was soon by my side, and with her a utensil, formed of buffalo 
hide, containing water and two or three handfuls of green leaves of 
a, peculiar virtue. Meantime Waanataa had been busily engaged in 
placing upon the rattlesnake's bite the inner parts of the sliced 
pieces of its body. Each slice upon being applied to the wound 
would almost immediately turn black; and just as Waanataa was 
about removing a third piece I awoke. This slice was only black 
CO a small extent, and thus proved that the poison was nearly all 
extracted. 

During the application Deitosie had poured down my throat the 
potion she had prepared, and afterwards she bathed my limb with 
It. I recovered, but my nerves undergoing another severe shock, I 
was again prostrated. Old Babasho, Temulle's eldest wife, in con- 
junction with Meemole, were my constant enemies, and left nothing 
undone to annoy me. I had now been with the Brule-Sioux nearly 
one year, and had fully resolved to escape at the first opportunity. 

There occurred, however, about this time, an event which turned 
my thoughts back again in their old direction. This event was the 
appearance among us of an old Methodist preacher, named John 
Madler, a native of New York State, and a resident of New Yotk 
City ; where, I have since learned, he is quite well known. He 
vtas accompanied by a sinister looking man calling himself Maer. 
» Canadian- Frenchman, who came from Manitoba, over the border 
i>t Dakota. 

Maer was a sort of independent trader, and remained with us 
some tkne. He related to me, with great glee, a transaction with a 
party of Fox Indians. These Indians were thoroughly uncivilized, 
and after trading every available article in his possession, excepting 





^^2^, ' \ 



I 





MISS BARBER'S NARRATIVE. ,» 

kii gnn and ammunition, he fired it off to their intense delight, and' 
afterwards showed them the gunpowder which caused the great 
noise. This, he explained, was a seed which could be planted in. 
i.he ground the same as corn, and would produce a large crop 
They gave him many articles of value in exchange for one-half hiv 
stock of gunpowder, and he went upon his way rejoicing. After- 
wards, in his trading expeditions he was careful not to trespass 
upon their territory, for fear the "seed" might prove an unpleasant 
and unprofitable harvest for him. That was his part jf the story, 
but there came an unexpected sequel. 

Some six months after leaving our village, he started on a trading 
expedition in the Blackfeet territory. He exposed his wares in one 
of their villages ; but what was his surprise to behold some four or 
five Indians walk up and carry off all his property. IJe laid his 
complaint before the chief, who informed him that the Indians, who 
had his property, were honest Fox who had joined his tribe, and 
that they promised to pay their white brother when the black seed 
grew. 

Rev. John Madler and I had ma«y warm religious conversations. 
He spoke hopefully of making mauy converts among the Indians. 
He denounced in strong terms the habit, so prevalent among the 
whites, of breaking nearly all their treaties with the red men, which 
caused the latter to harbor nothing but distrust in their dealinofs 
with the sons of civilization. With great earnestness he besought 
^me to walk without fear in the path that I had chosen; and re- 
minded me that good could not be accomplished without some sacri- 
fice. In fact so strong were his arguments, that I decided to remain 
ia my present position ; and again resolved upon rigidly following' 
ci»t my early missionary intentions. 

4t. Madler remained with us three weeks. He spoke the Sioux 
dialect quite fluently ; and possessing fineoratorical powers, he wa? 
listened to with great respect by our tribe, but his religious enthu- 
siasm was, I am aorry to say, without its intended effect. He cer- 
tainJv gained the respect of our tribe, but they would not accept 



^ MISS BARBER'S NARBIATIVB. 

his truths, for, said they, ** The pale faces were sent upon earth by 
the Evil Spirit, who was at a loss for some plan to vex us, and so 
conceived the idea of sending us whites that they might rob us of 
©ur territory, and leave us nothing in exchange but fire-water, to 
madden our brains and destroy our bodies." This was their theory, 
aud nothing which the Rev. Madler could advance in opposition to 
it, would in any way combat their ideas. " You are good pale face 
to-day," they said, " but to-morrow's sun may see thee bad pale face, 
for we have seen, we cannot but know." 

It was the eve of Mr. 'Madler's departure, and that of his com- 
panion, Maer. We had been sitting outside the door of our lodge. 
I had just related the incident of the snake bite, and mentioned the 
leaves which Deitosie had used as a remedy. Maer expressed a 
•^reat desire to gather some, in which Mr. Madler also joined. 

Deitosie, who was present, volunteered to show them a spot, but 
a short distance from the village, where they grew in abundance. 
Temulle had been absent some two or three days, and not fearing his - 
displeasure, I also volunteered to accompany the party. The moon 
s-hone brightly that night, as we set forth upon our botanical trip. 
We had proceeded something over half a mile from the village, 
when, quick as thought, Maer with a furious blow struck Mr. Mad- 
ler to the ground, and turning dealt Deitosie one equally as hard. 
Before I could gather my senses he had completely enveloped my 
head and shoulders in his cloak, thus stifling all cries for help, 
which I might have given vent to. Seizing me in his strong arms 
he ran quickly forward. I heard the neighing of a horse near by, and 
Boon felt myself lifted upon its back, and knew that Maer was there 
beside me. The villain had planned the whole affair, and soon the 
horse was galloping on at a pushed speed. My thoughts during 
this time were of an unenviable kind. What object could he have 
in this abduction? Madman, did he not realize that we should 
«oon be pursued and overtaken. 

We had probably gone some ten or fifteen miles before he reined 
cuQ. H« dismonnted and lifted rae from the horse's back. Then a 



MISS BARBER'S NARRATIYE. 76 

tong silence ensued, which was at length broken by shouts from 
Maer, and sounds of a switch descending upon the ba#k of the horse, 
a neigh of terror from the animal, and then as of some heavy body 
rolling down a ravine. 

The cloak was then withdrawn from my head, and I in a half in- 
sensible manner regained my power of speech, and looked around 
me. There stood Maer with the face of a demon, his eyes bloodshot, 
and a ghastly smile on his unprepossessing countenance. 

" You are now the wife of Maer. Do you not comprehend me ? " 
he said. 

I could make no reply. 

" You dou't mind it, eh ? Good ! Well, I will tell you some 
thing. In a short time those red-skin devils will be upon us. Ar- 
riving at this spot they will notice something unusual, and will 
trace that something to the edge of this ravine, down which I caused 
my horse to leap. They will suppose us to have been on the horae 
when he went down. Now, in order to reach the bottom, they '^11 
be obliged to retrace their steps some eight miles. Duri-j^ that 
time, and that which we have gained in advance of them, ^•.'e can 
walk a little ways — c^n't we, my dear ? and after we do w.-,'.k a little 
ways I know a nice little hiding place. Now aint I g schemer ? 
It's all for you, too ! " 

The villain evidently considered that I did not object i;o his plans, 
and knowing my helplessness, I concluded for the p)."asent not to 
undeceive him. So on we went, until we arrived at the banks of a 
small stream. Before emerging from the woods, Maer removed his 
moccasons and desired me to do the same. He then procured four 
large pieces of wancton bark. Two of these pieces he tied to his 
feet, one under each foot. The other two pieces he tied to mine. 
We then started for the stream ; after reaching which we untied 
our " bark shoes," and walked down the brook. 
, How far we walked I have no idea ; but at last in an exhausted 
condition, my feet badly swollen, we reached a hut, or lodge, of 
^•oulisu- oonstruction Upon our arrival, there appeared at tht 



76 MISS BAEBER'S KAERATIYE. 

door, gun in hand, a strange looking creature, whom one could 
tcarcelj name a man. His legs were twisted in a manner such as I 
have never seen possessed by a human being. One shoulder waa 
drawn high up above the other ; and his ejes, which cannot be 
described as being of any known color, were overhung by eyebrows 
of great thickness. One arm was, or appeared to be, much longer 
than the other ; and a more singular looking object, in tbe shape of 
man, could not be found. 

"Ah, this is my true friend, Red Rappo," said Maer, and added 
he, aside, " he is a sort of half-breed. His father was a Blackfeet, 
and his mother was, well there's no knowing exactly what, only she 
was not an Indian ;" and, added he, this time addressing the creature 
before him : — 

" Rappo, we are hunted by Sioux, and would hide, show us to 
your cave beneath the Anonmaho." 

" I see a friend," answered the strange being thus addressed, " and 
will serve him. Serve him falsely, never. Come 1 " 

Into the hut we followed Red Rappo. Looking round me I could 
«ee no other entrance save the one through which we came. The 
lodge or hut was built against a large rock, the sides of which served 
for the wall at the back. Rappo went directly to the wall and 
pushing it in a peculiar manner several times, a large stone fell,. 
leaving a hole large enough for one person at a time to crawl 
through. Maer bade mo' enter first. This I objected to, expressing 
a fear as to what might meet roe beyond. At this both Rappo and 
the Canadian laughed, the latter informed me that there was nothing 
to fear, as we were about entering a natural cave. Knowing that 
further objections might cost me ray life I reluctantly entered, 
followed by Maer, who, when inside, raised the stone to its former 
position. We walked through a dark cave for some distance, when 
we suddenly came to a lighted torch placed in a notch in the rocks. 
Here, to my surprise, I beheld a running brook. Maer, who ap- 
peared to be perfectly familiar with his surroundings, retraced his 
■tepa. but before leaving me, told me to venture no further, as to do 



MISS BARBER'S NARRATiVB. 77 

•0 would be certain death. He said that in less than half an hour 
he should return, and then all would be well. 

Moved bj some incomprehensible power I walked quite a ways 
from the spot upon which my abductor had left me. Want of 
courage caused me to stop. I then contemplated the hopelesg 
position in which I was placed, and preferred death to remaining io 
the power of the villain Maer. I continued to advance, slowly and 
cautiously, through the underground brook, which was scarcely 
knee-high. I walked probably half a mile, when with a prayer to 
<jod, and renewed courage I kept upon my uncertain way. Sud- 
denly I bethought myself of the torch burning in the notch, and 
feeling assured that its possession by me would be of great value, I 
went back to my starting point, obtained the light, and almost ran 
the distance I had walked before. The splashing water echoed and 
re-echoed throughout the cave. I desperately fought the feeling 
of fear within me, and determined to continue, even if death should 
be the consequence ; on, on I went. 

I know not the distance I had traversed after obtaining the torch, 
but suddenly a thousand lights danced before my eyes ; and all the 
fiairy tales that I had read in my childhood seemed about to be verified, 
'Twas as if all the rubies, and precious stones of the world, were 
imbedded in the rocks around me ; and in an ecstasy of wonder 
and delight I paused to view this scene of gorgeousness. But sud- 
denly I was reminded of my perilous situation, and the immediate 
necessity for action ; so on I went, carefully searching for signs of 
danger. 

I must have gone several miles, when, to my great joy, I beheld 
an opening beyond. With hastened steps I walked toward it, and 
upon my arrival was met by an unexpected difficulty. The brook 
rushed down the rocks at a height of full two hundred feet ; and 
upon neither side could I find means of exit from the cave. I 
stood gazing upon this truly grand work of nature, and fully re- 
Jiolved, that in case of pursuit, I would jump into the basin bei ea^k. 

knelt and sent up a prayer to God, and there upon my knees, 1 



t^ MISS BARBER'S NARRATIVE, 

thongbt of my past life, reviewed it calmly, and with a resigned 
mind, awaited my fate. In the midst of such thoughts I was 
aroused by a great splashing sound, and turning found myself in 
the arms of Maer. His face was covered with blood, and from a 
hole in his forehead the blood was slowly trickling down. His ex- 
pression I shall never forget, as with an oath he seized me, and 
hissed into my ear these words : — 

" You thought to escape me, my beauty, did you ? But I have 
you now, despite the endeavors of that canting preacher to trick 
me of my prize. Curse him 1 He shall pay for every drop oi 
blood I hav« lost. Thought to kill me, did he ? And I do believe 
Rappo is dead, shot by that hellish squaw. Come, we must get away 
from here," 

So saying he dragge^i me back towards the entrance to the cave 
reaching which he pushed me through the hole in the rock, and 
quickly followed. As I gained my feet upon the floor of the cabin 
I beheld Deitosie, who was about to spring forward to meet me, 
when seeing the head and shoulders of Maer emerging from the 
cave, she darted toward him instead, and seizing him dragged him 
through, and administed a sound beating to his Canadian majesty. 
But once firmly upon his feet he would have proved too much for 
her ; but fortunately, at this critical moment, good Mr. Madler ap- 
peared upon the scene, and by a well-directed blow from the butt 
of his gun, succeeded in rendering our antagonist powerless, and 
without uttering a sound he fell to the floor. 

I now observed that Mr. Madler's left arm hung upon a strip of 
linen suspended from his neck. This was all duly explained to me 
As soon as Mr. Madler recovered his senses, after being knocked 
down by Maer, near the Sioux village, he ran back, and (crazy from 
the unexpected circumstances attending our walk, and a severe pain 
in the head, occasioned by Maer's blow,) mounted the first horse he 
came to, without giving any particulars to the Indian who stood near 
him, and galloped furiously away. 

Arriving at the spot where he had left Deitosie insensible, h© 



. ■ >; 





MISS BABBBB'S NABBATIYE. 81 

foQiid her tUfiitt^ u^ a]&d%rHea iAio i&v hib she begged to accioi^ 
pany him. So the two thus mounted rode on, little knowing whcro^ 
hat, directed bj a kind and all-seeing Providence, thej came upor 
Kappo's hat Standing in the door waa Maer, who upon seeing 
them fired his gun, the ball from which took effect in Mr. Madler's 
left arm. 

With great eflFort Mr. Madler returned the shot, and fortunately it 
also took effect, for Maer put his hand to his forehead and disap- 
peared within. Rappo now came to the front and fired, but with no 
effect, his ball passing harmlessly by. Ber. Madler had now drop^ 
ped his gun, and was attending to his wound, which had becomt 
by this time exceedingly troublesome. Deitosie with great firmness 
picked up the fallen gun and fired. The smoke cleared away, and 
Rappo lay dead 1 Mr. Madler then seized the gun, and rushing 
forward fearlessly entered the cabin ; but to his surprise, and thai 
of Deitosie, who had followed him, Maer was nowhere to be seen 
He ard the Indian maiden searched everywhere, but without suo 
eess, and they had given up all hopes of being able to rescue met 
Madler had just left the hut for the fourth or fiflh time, and Deitosie 
haft stood near the door wonderingly, when my appearance, fol 
lowed by that of Maer, and the attending consequences, took place 

Deitosie and myself werd seated upon the horse's back, and with 
great thankfulness we wended our way toward our village, accom- 
panied by good Mr. Madler. About half way We were met by a 
large body of mounted Sioux warriors, who in surprise greeted our 
arrival. The story was soon told, and Bev. Madler was the hero, and 
Deitosie the heroine of the day. 

Two days afterward Mr. John Madler set out upon his journey, 
acoompanied by an " Anee " (bachelor) Indian who had formed a 
warm attachment for him. With the good doctor I in sorrow 
partedf but cheerfully remarked that we should meet again. 

" If not in this world, then in the next," he said, 
"^^hortly after thia commenced a series of persecutions beyond 
Ohristian forbearanoe. Maer, the trader, had left a quantity of th« 



^ MISS BARBER'S NARRATIVK 

worst whiskey eyer distilled, .and nearly all th^ Indiiins partook 
fteely of it ; TemuUe among tlje rest. After drinking a quantity 
of the poisonous liquid he would come to the lodge, and ordering me 
out would devise aU sorts of plans for his own amusement. Some 
1 dare not mention, but others I will. At one time he came to m 
and said that the council had ordered me to swim the river, which 
was near the village. Accordingly I was seized by two squaws, who 
forced me toward the river, followed by Indians, both men and 
women, in a beastly state of intoxication. Arrived at the river, my 
tormentors waded out, dragging me with them. Fortunately they 
had hold of the wrong person to gratify them in the manner thej 
desired, as I was an expert swimmer and readily swam to the oppo- 
site bank. Finding that they were foiled in their intentions regard- 
ing myself) the male Indiana forced all the squaws, who had accom- 
panied us, into the river, where they were followed and forced into 
deep water. Some five or six of the women could not swim, and 
of these three were drowned, to the great amusement of the drunken 
wretches on shore. 

At another time, Temulle, still under the influence of liquor, 
whipped me severely, and then painted my face with the bU>od 
which ran from the wounds upon my body. His passion for tor- 
menting me vas at its height, when fortunately for me, but unfortu- 
Qately for others, two teamsters were brought in as prisoners. 
And — why need dwell upon the horrible scene ? — ^these men were tied 
to the stake, ^nd surrounded by howling, drunken Indians, they 
were burned to death. 

Not long after this terrible affair, two white girjswere brought to 
our village and fprced to take braves as husbands or die at the stake. 
From them I learned a sad history of Indian cruelties. Their name 
was Howson. Three years previous the father, John W. Howson, 
and his wifi^ and three children, from Kentucky, had sought and 
found a home in the far West. Bverything had prospered, and in 
th^ir happy home few thoughts of evil came. But the destroyer 
WAS on. ^heij track. One day there oame seven Indians who 



MISS BARBER'S NARRATIVK. 8S 

•zhibited every sign of peaceable intentions. Tbey asked for fbod 
and received it. After staffing themselves to their hearts' content 
they asked for fire-water. Mr. Howson and his wife, who were 
both in the house, informed them that he had none, in fact myet 
' used it. 

"White man lie I" said one of the Indians, "and me kill him, he 
ao give ua fire-water." i ♦ ? 

Mr. EEowson still persisting that there was nothing of that kind 
in the house, the Indians rushed upon, and struck him to the ground, 
where they scalped him alive before the |yes of his distracted family. 
Ml-8. Howson, an invalid, unable to move from her chair, sat wring- 
ing her hands and calling for mercy. The Indians, now thoroughly 
maddened at the sight of blood, next directed their attention 
toward a boy of about four years of age, and one tall powerful brute 
took him by the heels and dashed his brains out against the door 
post. The daughters, Annie and Lizzie, had fainted at this horrible 
sight, and wheti they becatne conscious their home was in ashes, and 
their mother buried beneath. The Indians who committed this 
dastardly deed were of the Lo tribe, but they brought their captives 
i^ our village. ■{<,j 

Li2Kie Howson was a very pretty blonde, and her sister Annie a 
hnjinette of rare beauty. All my sympathies were enlisted in tbei^r 
*fe^oV'; but what could I do to aid them? Nothing, absolutely 
nothing, for / wai a captive in reality. Thoughts of escape, with- 
out any fixefd plan to accomplish it, were again running through my 
' mirH, and — well, the next chapter will let you into 8eY*«?al 'Ncreta. 

ad nform you as to aeveral ad^^nturea of miii^. ^ , 

.««oW rrsrf* enr^w I liaa (Mf oodw ,t«»«M f>if> M ,aodT . af» 

i»bam .W ^ Xm iuo bid bam ^ia<f lo •»om<| ^it fcoioporq I 
9w 9teif boM ^ttd a'oqqAa 'bafi ot moao ;»w liJair iooid 9di rf^jK^iHl 
ATTw th^dio dom at fcsiooj Jrfjjii Mivtmi » jd btt^t^ ^nw 

tmM fl«ifc*«0 •di bM t«a»«M .Tt^ lo wibod »»««l«i»i wo» .A «»^^ 
fdi WcMqMOM bad odw ,ambal 9d» lo ^bod 9di t«l nd motO 

•hmd mU i^^widt $od* 

m 




S8 .Hvr. ArT;iA;[ rVjUftp^M j5.'-T]/ 

iaciaty ' ' ■•„ ^^>..u• ,u/:> .j '■ ■ ' •• 

ST-.'T ., .Ti.!. •, ..7! ■, ;,' '.n u. 

CHAPTKB TT i.^ . 

mi WCAPl— CAPTURED AND BROUOHt BACK— WHIPPED— «)». 
DBMmtD TO DEATH AT THB 8TAKB— INTBBOBflBION OF WAANATAA. 

NB evening Deitosie and I had walked a short distanoe be- 
yond the village, and our convorsation at length turned 
upon the cruelties of my husband Temulle. To her I ex- 
pressed a desire to quit forever the Brule tribe, and she 
Tolunteered to accompany me anywhere. So we sat dowi 
ami arranged our plans for escape. It was decided that we should 
make some excuse the next day, which would admit of a long 
absence, without creating any suspicion as to our real intentions. 

VjjTe determined upon taking with us a good supply of provisions, 
and our destination was Red Rappo's hut. There we could hide in 
the cave, with safety, until all pursuit of us had been abandoned, 
for now that Maer and Rappo were dead, the secret of the cave was. 
we felt sure, known to but three persons—Deitosie, myself; and Dr. 

Madler. 

Everything favored us the following day, for TemuUe went on a 
hunt, in the opposite direction from that which we intended taking; 
and w, bright and early, we started with the avowed purpose of 
herb gathering. Arriving at the banks of the stream (which I have 
before mentioned^ I removed my moccasons, and caused Deitosie to 
do the same. Then, as did Maer, when he and I were there before, 
I procured the pieces of bark, and hid our trail. We waded 
through the brook until we came to Red Rappo's hut, and here we 
were greeted by a l»rrible sight. Locked in each other's arms, 
were the now iaanimate bodies of Rev. Madler and the CJanadian Maer. 
Close by lay the body of the Indian, who had aooompaaied th« 
4oolor, ahot through the head. 
H 



HISS SABBER'S NAKRATIVS. «| 

Hero was a mystery, the only solution of which wt oould arrhr«( 
ftt, being, that Maer was not dead when we left him, and had after- 
wards met Mr. Madler and his gnide, shot the latter, and with the 
former closed in deadly combat With all the nerve at our oom-, 
mand we removed the bodies from the lodge, and with a sickening 
sensation managed to crawl into the cave. Once inside, we were 
pnzzled to adjust the stone which filled the entrance; but after 
great exertion we managed to arrange it in its proper place. 

Deitosie followed] me, not without some fear however, through 
the cave until we came to the underground brook, whea, to my sur*^ 
prise, I found a torch brightly burning, and placed in the same 
notch where I had seen and taken the other. What could this 
mean ? A terror shook my limbs, but J. did not wish to mention 
the fact to my companion. Strange thought* ran through ray braJn; 
and to all questions ask«d by Deitosie I returned but indifferent 

answers. riri '< .puyfrcH ■'ut.tlp.p.H rr o$ in^-gqaa ^otntsrx^d 

Frantically I fciBed the torch and rushed forward. I had not 
gone far when, with a scream, I started back, for there directly in 
front of us, his eyes like balls of fire, stood Bed Rappol Both 
Deitosie and myself lost all possession of our limbs and senoes, and, 
sank unconscious into the running water beneath us. Happily thOjj 
water had an immediate sanitary effect, and with choking sensations we 
found our senses returning. We managed, by clinging to e&cb 
other, to stand, but neither could utter a sound, and still before us 
Mtood Red Rappo 1 What hQrrible expression he had. How awfully 
weir(? looked he;. and as I gazed in sjtony horror at the picture » 
presented, it 

" Filled me. thrilled me, with n terror never felt before." 
With a prayer to God, I regained somewhat my wonted s^- 
possession, and in a voice weak with fear I managed to utter :-7;.^ 
**^*Eappo, we come not to harm you. We are but, two helpless 
women ; have mercy, have mercy 1 " 

No sound, save the noise occasioned by the running water 
fpe^ti ua. He is waiting to spring upon oal He would amoM, 



m mSS" BARBER'S NARRATIVE. 

himself at out fright 1 ' Soon he will rend ua limb from limb! 
Some such wild thoughts presented themselves to my now crazed 
brainr and with them came the feeling of faintness again. My com- 
pvnion stood like a bronze statue, nor uttered she one word. 

- With no belief in things supernatural, the idea slowly crept inr 
upon me that we were looking at the spirit of Red Rappo. i gained, 
at length, sufficient courage to advance a few steps. As I did so I 
bade the object before us to come forward, if he were man or spirit. 
But there staring at us, with a look that chilled my very blood, 
,tood Red Bajypol Suddenly yells were echoed throughout the 
cave. What meant those shouts? Whence did they proceed ?j 
With ffeelinga none can describe, I turned to my companion, who by 
this time had regained her power of speech. i'^^^-v" 

Our people have found, and followed our trail," she said. -^ if^ 
Again the yells were sounded in our ears, and the truth soon 
became apparent to me. Rushing forward, I know not why, I ran 
against the object which had caused us so much terror, and as I did 
so it fell— 'twas the body of Red Rappo. Here was another mys 
tery. Holding the torch high above my bead I beheld a hole neai 
where the body had been placed, and, on examination, I found 
another cave adjoining the one we" were in. Hurriedly . bade 
Deitosie follow me, and soon I found myself in a cavern of huge 
cTimensions. A large rock lay at our feet, and, with the a. Lance 
of the Indian maiden, we, upon trial, found it to exactly fit ih hole 
through which we had crawled. We had scarcely been in our new 
hiding place a minute, when we heard the echo of voices, and the 
V-amping of many feet in the adjoining cave. ? 

Three days and nights, I should judge, we passed in this cavern. 
Often we heard voices and other sounds, but our hidmg place 
remained undiscovered by our pursuers. At last, weary of .ur 3on. 
finement we concluded to carefully advance along the cavern. Our 
loi^h had burned to its last knot, and, in the darkness, we were 
obliged to grope our way. It is a singular fact that the air of this 
cave wa. not. as far as we could judge from our ffeeUngs, th^ 1^^ 



A.. 




%^ 












V Y 




^J^m 



loss BAUBBBS I^ABRATIYSL 89 

bit impure. We were reduced in provisions to one piece of cooked 
htfit steak weighiag about two pounds. Fear prevented us from 
re*'Tming the way we came, even if we had been able to find tha 
entrance, which is doubtful, and our situation was desperate. To 
remain was certain starvation, and so out we were obliged to go. 
Bui how? Was there an exit to this cave? We pushed hopefully 
on, knowing not what was before us. At any moment we might be 
plunged down some deep abyss. Oh, i^ was terrible, bat there was 
no help for it, so on, on we went, ^biacqmoa vm diiw ^aanmoa r't 

We had traversed the cavern a great while when we suddenly 
beheld before us what appeared to be a star of heaven. Towards it 
we wenty and after walking quite a distance came to a hole scarcely 
large enough to admit a person to crawl through. I first reached 
out far enough to take a view of ita surroundings, when with feelings 
of despair I beheld, directly to the right of me, the self same brook, 
rushing down the rocks, which I had before seen in the other cavern. 
But joy 1 joy, to the left of me I saw a ledge of rock upon which we, 
with care, could crawl I told Deitosie of my discovery, and crawled 
out, followed soon after by my companion. !i»ta »H< ie ^ 

( < The rock upon which we stood was some one hundred and fifty 
or two hundred feet above the plain beneath us. Deitosie, after 
walking around some time, came to me with the news that to the 
left of us was a natural path by which we could descend. 

With great difficulty, we managed, at last, to reach the valley 
and with thankful hearts we knelt, I with a prayer, which was 
repeated by the Indian maiden. After a long rest we rose to our 
feet and had walked some distance, when we heard the sound of 
wheels belonging evidently to heavy emigrant wagons, and soon 
after we met a party of twenty men, and with them three wagon* 
and twelve horses. I entered into conversation with them and 
warned them to go to the extreme right, as our people would, in all 
probability, engage them in battle under some pretence, and rob 
them of everything. They were pleased to learn that I was the wifSi 
ti Teiniulle (or Squatting Bear as they called him), told me they 



m MISS BARBEK'S NARRATIVE 

were on their way, with supplies, to Fort Berthald, and wished to- 
stop at the Brule village. I did not like to own that I was theil' 
attempting to escape from my husband, and therefore, after again 
repeating my warning, at which they only laughed, I left :hera to go 
their way. They had been gone about half an hour when who should 
soddenly appear before us but Temulle. The game was up I It; 
had been fairly played, but our antagonist held the winning card. 

Without a word Temulle pointed toward the Brule village, and I, 
in company with my companion, led the way, followed closely by 
Temulle. - ff 

Arrived at the village, we were hailed by the Indians with sM 
sorts of exclamations, and I was glad to get into the lodge, td escape 
their taunts. But my trouble was by no means at an end. Temulle 
walked in soon after and whipped me so severely that I expected 
nothing short of death to ensue. Not content with this he pounded 
me with his fasts, until, overcome by such treatment, I fainted. Not 
was this all, for in the morning I awoke to learn that the council^ 
then more than half crazy with liquor, had condemned me to be 
burned at the stake. 

All my Christian fortitude was required to bear up under these 
trials. Aiai^aad aiul 

The time appointed for the sacrifice, as the Indians termed it^ 
arrived, and with trembling limbs, but a strong faith in God, I 
walked forth to meet my doom. Tied to the stake I waited the sig- 
nal that would start the flames around me. The sky was dark 
with clouds, heavy winds were blowing, when suddenly vivid flashes 
of lightning illumined the heavens above. Waanataa now appeared 
upon the scene, and addressed the Indians. He bade them beware 
of the Great Spirit's wrath. They were about to burn a woman who 
had never harmed them, and the Great Spirit would talk to them. 
As he spoke a loud peal of thunder rent the air, and the Indiang 
dropped as if struck by some unseen power. There I stood a witt 
ness to this scene of so much import to myself. ^ 

The elements were now let loose in all their fury. The wind ble# 



MISS BAEBER'S NARRATIVE. 91 

ft perfect liurricane, peal afler peal crashed as if in contentictn ^n ith 
some great antagonist, and the vividness of the lightning dearly 
exposed each object to view, when suddenly the earth trembled, 
then shook and shook ag^in, till with one mighty heave it seemed 
to throw o£f all the weight upon it, and the next flash of lightning 
nhowed the land not far off, to be split as far as the eye could reach. 
During these events Waanataa could be seen standing erect, calm 
and collected. 

Presently the storm abated, and Waanataa walked up to the 
stake amd severed the cords which bound me, and then, turning to 
the Indians, huddled together like sheep, he said: in daw ollunj^T 
^ "Sioux, the Great Spirit has spoken, and do you not know what 
the lightning was saying 7 " 

After the storm had passed over I went to my lodge, and then 

offered up a prayer of thanksgiving for my rescue from death. ^ J>o4 

i TemuUe, for some time subsequently, treated me with great res- 

pect, as did also the rest of the tribe, but this soon wore oS, and 

again did I submit to seemingly never-ending persecutions. 

The following day a white man approached the village on horse- 
back, and informed us that he was one of a party en rotUe for Fort 
Berthald. He it was with whom I had conversed and warned not 
lo enter the Brule village. .«<^- ]a • t >i ._\ vd r.. . a' n:>v 

After great parley he was ordered to bring his cdinpanions before 
the chief, and accordingly did so, when commenced a general massa- 
cre, only one of the party escaping toteil the tale.'>rw '>^ru v\m v*m 
V' Things in the neighborhood were getting too hot for a longer 
•tay on the part of the Sioux, and owing to the late murders and 
depredations, they knew that the pale-faces would soon be on the trail 
as avengers, and consequently afler a council had been held, it was 
agreed that the best policy would be to ^ pull up stak^ " and 
leave, uw idLcM btni «xli i%iiii I locf ^d^riob ifoimtr^ odi iaJ 6V4>^ 

T^e Indians generally act upon impulse, and in a short time our 
tribe was on the move, and the deserted village lay far behind. For 
imj* w travelled, and I, the ** noble Indian's wife/' was obliged to 



19 MISS BARBER'S KARRATIVB. 

befu" my pack with the other squ£.ws. At length we arriyed at Miaa 
Wakan Lake, where we remained but a short time, fearipg parsnip 
and then struck across the border, avoiding Manitoba, howerer. Our 
eourse now lay along the Assiniboin river, on the banks of which 
we encamped several days. A few mUes from the banks of th« 
Assiniboin river, a hut, occupied Dy an Indian of the Blackfeet tribe, 
was discovered, and from him Temulle obtained another supply of 
whiskey, and then again commenced the deviltries previously prao* 
tKied, and as I was about the only object to practise upon, "your 
humble servant" was the instrument used for his amusement. 

Temulle was at his wits' end for some new amusement, when he 
conceived the idea of dressing Meemole and myself in male costume, 
that of the braves, and placing us face to I'ace in deadly combat 
So after being obliged to dress as directed, I was brought forward 
and confronted by Meemole, dl-essed in a similar manner, and who 
judging by the smile of satisfaction she wore, seemed inclined to 
enjoy the thing immensely. I remonstrated, but to no effect, and 
was told that Meemole had orders to kill me whether I fought or 
not. Out of all the Indians present but three stood by me as 
champions: these three were Waanataa, Deitosie, and little 
Leeonoge. Deitosie begged Temulle to allow her to take my place, 
and even little Leeonoge expressed a wish to " go right up and 
kill bad squaw." 

The idea of this Amazonian encounter tickled the Indians im- 
mensely, and with sinking heart, I saw that there was no help for 
it, I must either kill or be killed. I did not relish the idea of 
human blood upon my hands, nor was I inclined to sit calmly by 
and receive the knife of my bitter enemy. 

Meemole had, since her marriage, left no means undone to annoj 
me, and all my sufferings both at her hands and those of Temulle^ 
gave her the greatest delight, but I trust the kind reader will credit 
me when I assert that no feelings of revenge toward her had ever 
possessed me. 

^ aanataa tiaae, and in » whisper, advised me to stand up braTvly 



ICISS BABBEK'S NABBATIYB. H 

and fight it out, for *" she ia not likely to kill you,** he said, ' and if 
you watch your opportunity and seize with a firm hand her right 
wrist, and cut her slightly across the stomach the rictory is yours. 
Nothing," he added, ** will cause greater fear in such an encounter 
tban a cut on that particular part of the body. I have known 
brares to receive severe, and sometimes death wounds, ki more vital 
puts, and continue fighting, not knowing that they were badly cut, 
whilst at other times I have seen them oonqured by a little scratch 
a^^ross the stomach." 

Knowing thai Waanataa, next to Deitosie, stood my beat friend, 
I decided to act upon his advice. 

It is perhaps necessary, though I hesitate through modesty, in 
asserting it, to state that I am what is termed a well made woman. 
Brought up in the country, and having at the same time a desire to 
avail myself of the exercise which may there be obtaicow,* ^^m •« 
be 1^ strong girl, and at fifteen there were few of the boys in oui 
neighborhood who cared to test my strength — in fact, I was at that 
age a perfect " torn boy." 

My opponent, in this contest, possessed a well knit body, and no 
doubt we were equally matched. 

And now came preparations for the ** tug of war." Face to face 
we stood, knives in hand. On her face malice, and a fixed look 
which boded me no good. Upon my fiice there was, I am sure, an 
expression of determination. I resolved not to kill her unless 
pushed to do so in self-defence. The signal to commence hostilities 
was given, and quick as lightning Meemole sprang forward, and 
before I was aware of it, gave me a severe cut across the face with 
her knife. For a moment I was bewildered, but remembering mj 
'danger, and I may truly say, my American blood being up, I went 
in for dear life. My first effort was to seize her right wrist, which 
fortunately I succeeded in doing, but she too had learned that trick, 
and so I found myself non-eombattarU. Now commenced a struggle 
for supremacy. Locked in each other's arms, we neither of us could 
we the knife. At last with an effort I threw loj antagonist, and 4a 



m MISS BARBER'S NARRATIVBi 

she fell she pulled me with her, leaving me however " on top." 
Several Indians now stepped forward and separated us, and we were 
commanded to stand upon our feet, which we did, and having learned 
a lesson from Meemole at the commencement of the encounter, I pro- 
ceeded immediately to put it to practical use, and this time it was 
her turn to receive the cut upon the face. 

The quickness with which I accomplished this served to call forth 
the applause of the drunken Indians, and Meemole in no manner 
i^elishing this good opinion of my powers, rushed forward, the blood 
streaming from her face, with the fury of ah enruged tigress. The 
blade of her knife clashed against mine, and centring all my 
strength in the one arm, I threw my antagonist off. Again she 
came at me, and, acting on the defensive, I backed a step or two, 
and she in miscalculating the distance would have fallen, had I not 
instantly seized her, and doing so we both fell 

This time there was no interference, and we rolled over and 6ver, 
cutting and slashing at each other in a manner which appeared to be 
terrible, but which was in reality of no great effect, except to statt 
a considerable quantity of blood. TemuUe at last, seeing that I was 
getting the best of the squaw, ordered us to be separated. Again 
we stood face to face, and a sorry appearance we must have presented. 
Meemole had decidedly t^e worst of it, but her courage was by no 
means gone, and it bade fair to be a long and deadly encotihtelt. 
She lost no time in acting on the offensive, and it was with great 
difficulty that I avoided several savage thrusts, any one of which, I 
doubt not, would have proved fatal to my existence. Many times 
hiid I Attempted the " cut " which Waanataa advised mfe to'inakb, 
but without success. 

My antagonist Vas now becoming weak from loss of bloo<l, and in 
her despair was fighting wildly, and ib such a manner that I could 
not have longer warded off her stabs, had not fortune at last favored 
'me, fb"!* in another atteinpti succeded in grasping Meemole's wrist, 
and quick as thought, dealt her a cut across the stomach, which 
thoroughly i^nnerved her, and the victory was mine t ''''"' 



MISS BARBER'S NARRATIVE. W 

Weak from loss of blood, and unnerved through excitement, I 
was carried, by Waanataa, to my lodge, the Indians making way for 
oa, and on every side my courage was lauded to the skies. In a day 
or two I had sufficiently recovered to be able to assist in the care of 
my late enemy, Meemole, who was very grateful, and ever afterward 
remained a true and firm friend of mine, odw V.^gonutv.'.! alMiJ •* 
>. The Indian previously mentioned as living a few miles from the 
Asfiiniboin river, came to our encampment two or three days after 
the Amazonian contest, and having heajd of it, he (expressed, a great 
partiality toward me. j»- «>W -^9^ mn^l ^4$ varJCn^n 9hfM'W'^"^». 
^< One day as I wandered a short distance from our temporary vil- 
lage, I was met by the Indian trader, and his attentions becoming 
of too free a nature to satisfy my sense of propriety, I started to 
leave him, but he detained me, and despite my endeavors to escape 
him, carried me to his hut. We had scarcely arrived there, when 
Temullemade his appearance, and then commenced a hand to hand 
encounter between these two red men, in which however my husbaod 
had decidedly the best of his antagonist, and soon-overpowered hii». 
Temulle then bound him hand and foot, and dragged him to the vil- 
lage, where he was roasted alive. The Brulea afterward confiscated 
his property, and burned his hut to the ground. , yrfi rfjiw Stnm 

Not far from our encampment Waanataa discovered a cave or 
seemingly a tomb, in which were found skulls and skeltons of a race 
of Indians long since extinct. The shortest one of theso skeletons 
could not have been less than seven feet nine in length, and sey^ral 
of them actually measured over eleven feet. Tomahawks of queer 
shapes, pipes of peculiar make, and other articles were found in 
abundance, one of which, an ornament cut from a solid block of gold, 
I still have in my possession. 

It would be impossible to narrate in one volume the many exciting 

events of my life during my five yeiars' sojourn among the Indians, 

but I have in contemplation the compilation of another book of this 

size which will be comprised of adventures among the Cheyenne 

-ttibi^ wh^eh tribe I have a^greater respect for than that whicljL I 
7 



M MISS BARBER'S NARRATIVE. 

t&tertain for the Brale-Sioux. During my lifo among the \tMttt, i 
met and conversed with Spotted Tail and many other well knoiia 
Indians. In the month of August, 1872 (the year of my retnm), T 
was on a visit to New York city, and again met and conversed witii 
Spotted Tail, and his squaw, who, by the way, is a sister to thm 
"Little Loconogc," of whom I have spoken. •^n.jftrurwt 

Our tribe was on the move for a long while, and during thaf time 
we visited the winter Trading Post, Blackfeet territory, having 
trarelleii along a very beautiful little river known as the Moose, 
afterwards striking the Plum river. We were at one time near Fort 
Ellicd, and thence along the Qu Appelle river, and afterwards stop- 
ped at the Qu Appelle Post. We spent some time on the Fishing 
Lakes among the Blackfeet Indians, and again along the Red Deer 
river to Cache Camp, taking in Old Bow Fort enrouU. During this 
time I was to a great extent thoroughly resigned to my situation 
Temullc had for a long time acted toward me in a manner more 
lenient than during the first two years of our m&rriage, but suddenly 
a complete change took place in his disposition, and again 1 was 
subject to such cruel treatment that I firmly resolved to escape. 
Early in the spring we returned to Dakota territory, and afterwards 
went with the greater portion of our tribe into the State of Minnesota. 
Here were renewed those cruelties which I have before mentioned. 

One day there came to our camp an old hunter named Darnel 
Leroy. I seized the first opportunity to speak to this man about 
my desire to leave the Indians, and he promised that if it ever lay 
in his pow<;r to assist me he should not hesitate to render me aid; • 
'^^ ^Temulle, on one occasion, had just given me a severe whipping, 
*fhfcn there came to the village an old Brule chief, who had been 
('or many years among the Blackfeet. He witnessed the scene 
between my husband and myself. Without flinching I had received 
tlie whipping administered by Temulle, and he seemed to enjoy my 
suflfering. At the conclusion he offered Temulle a pony in exchange 
*br the * white squaw.' This offer being refused he next offered 
¥irOt ftnd ^6B tbreepoBiea, and for three pomti m$ ftobk (/)/fMgKm 



MISS BARBER'S WARRATIVK 99 

husband banded rae over to Mackamose, the old Brale chief, who 
that yerj day set out for a Deighboring tribe, aocompanied bj an 
^ Anee " friend. I bade good bye to Deitosie, Waanataa and Little 
Leeonoge(the latter was then in a dying condition), and followed my new 
' proprietor." Daniel Leroy, the old hunter, did not even come for- 
ward to bid me farewell, but kept decidedly aloof. 

W© had been on our way two days, and had probably travelled 
«»ome forty odd miles, when we struck a small stream called the " Naog " 
(roaring) brook. Mackamozeexp^'essed it as his intention to remain 
here some three or four days. We had scarcely been upon the spot 
selected an hour when Daniel Leroy rode up, having the three ponies 
given TemuUe by the old chief, with him. He entered into a con- 
versation with Mackamoze, the substance of which was that he desired 
to buy me back. He offered the three ponies and other presents, 
and promised the old chief " much money " if he would accompany 
us to one of the forts after the trade. 

Nothing however would induce Mackamoae to trade for me, and he 
and the other Indian took possession of the three ponies and bade the 
hunter leave them instantly under pain of death. They asserted that 
Leroy had stolen the ponies. 

In vain did he deny the charge and assert that he had paid 
Temulle for them. At last in desperation he struck down the 
*' Anee " with the butt end of his gun, and turning instantly, pointed 
the muzzle of it toward Mackamoze, ordering him to stand or be shot 
down in his tracks. The old chief rushed forward — Leroy pulled 
the trigger — the gun missed fire, and dropping it, he seized Macka- 
moze, and then came a struggle for supremacy. For a long tima 
neither could throw the other. At length they both fell heavily 
to the ground. 

Over and over they rolled, both adepts in the tricks of a hand U> 

hand encounter. It was a prolonged contest. Blood flowed freely 

trom each. With a great struggle Leroy succeeded in shaking off 

his »ntagonist, and in a moment was on his feet. But not before the 

a, who was u^ and ready to meet him again. They clinched, 



li^ MISS BARBER'S NARRATIVE. 

and the struggle was again desperately renewed. Neiiar> very neai- 
to them was the mouth of a yawning abyss. -I called to Leroy, 
•warning him of l^is danger, but, alas, too late, foT a few steps back- 
ward carried the Indian over the edge, and in his fall he clung to 
the buck-skin jacket of his adversary, thus dragging the old hunter 
with him. They disappeared from -my sight. With terror I rushed 
to the edge of the abyss, and there hung Leroy, his legs twisted 
around a wancton tree; which grew on a ledge of rock, and ^ti 11 
clinging to him was the Indian chief. The strength of LerOy seemed 
superhuman, for as he. hung he managed with one handj by seizing 
the tree, to steady himself, whilst with the other he repeatedly 
stabbed his antagonist, who, with a yell of agony, let go his hold, and 
went crashing down on the rocks below. 

Leroy found great difficulty in regaining an upright position 
after the Indian had let go his hold; but at last, with what assistance 
I could render, he accomplished the* feat, and after a rest we started 
toward the white settlements, where, after several days' journey we 
arrived completely exhausted. 

I soon found friends enough, who dressed me in " civilized cos- 
tume," and I was shortly afterward on my way to Fort Leavenworth, 
and remaining there but a short time, I started for the good Old 
Bay. State. 

During my stay among the Brule-Sioux, William Welsh, Esq., 
made an official visitation among the Indians, and afterward made 
some wise and good suggestions in his report. lie gave au inter- 
esting account of the social and religious condition of the various 
tribes, and urges the more thorough carrying out of the principle that 
when a civilized people deprive the uncivilized possessors of the soil 
of their food and clothing, the civilized people are bound to subsist 
and clothe the uncivilized until they can support themselves. Mr 
Welsh also recommends the United States Government to adopt 
more effective measures for the prohibiton of the whiskey traffic 
among the Indians, and in that recommendation I too join an earnest 
prayer for the total prohibition of the damning fluid among those 



MISS BABBES'S NARRATIVB. 10) 

Mv.^0 oreatures, for two thirda ol the murders and wars among 
themselves and against the whites are committed under its influence, 
and to the other third we can but add that it's man's inhumanity to 
the red-man. 

If my narrative has proved interesting I am well satisfied, but if 
in Its perusal some silly girl may change her mind regarding the 
noble red men and relinquished all thoughts of going among them, 
for any purpooe whatever, then »m I fully satiated. 



CHAPTER VTL 

OBSKBVATIONS ON INDIAN PBACTICB OF MEDICINB — UANNBB OF 
TBBATMBNT — INDIAN HEBB3, ETC., WITH TBANSLATIONS — BBCEIPT8 
FOB VARIOUS DISBASBS — NB7EB KNOWN TO FAIL. 

HAVE, since my return, been importuned by numerous friends 
and acquaintances, to give to the public some of the receipts 
in use among the Indians, for the cure of diseases. The pub- 
lishers of this work, knowing the great value of these receipts, 
gladly publish them, and will fully indorse their efficacy. 1 
am confident that the reader will do well to preserve the receipts, 
as, where they have been properly applied, 1 have never, in one 
instance, known them to fail. 

In the spelling of the Indian names I use a system of my own, 
which is to spell words according to their sound in pronouncin 
them. My translations may be thoroughly relied upon as being 
accurate. 



Fbosted Members. — The Indians make a plaster of the retin 
qf tap-pine, which has a soothing effect, and removes all irrita- 
tion. 

Cholera Morbus. — Make a gruel of Was-lo-nee (rice) and a tea 
of Han-tola (liquorice). Then get a small quantity of Nee-ohar-lo 
(red raspberry leaves), and make a strong tea, which must be given 
to patient half a glassful every hour, or oftener, according to severity 
of the case. 

The red raspberry leaves are excellent ia stopping looseness 
of the bowels, but care should be taken not to stop the looseness 
snddenly. ^ 

102 



MISS BAKBER'S NARRATIVE. 104 

Rhxumatism. — This complaint is very prevalent among tlie 
Indians. Take equal parts of Alo-piuus (white pine bark), Lappee 
(burdock seeds), Alo-ja-ka (prickly-ash bark), and Nee-was-char 
^what is known as Serpeniari.a Virginiana, or Virginia snake root). 
^fake a strong infusion, and drink freely through the day. The 
Indians while doctoring rheumatism make a free use of cold water 
applied to the parts afiflicted, and give the patient a severe rubbing 
two or three times a day. 



Hoarseness, Asthma, Complaints of the Breast, Lun(*s, 
ETC. — Take of the leaves of hoarhound, dried, 2 ounces; infuse 
them for twenty-four hours in half a pint of boiling water (and I 
advise the addition of half a pint of spirits) ; strain, and add quarter 
of a pound of honey, and one teaspoonful of the essence of lemon. 

Dose. — For adult one or two tablespoonfuls every two hours. 



Pulmonary Diseases. — (Especially efficacious for bleeding at 
the lungs.) Ne-bra-ta-hea (liverwort), \ pound ; Sa-bas-sa (Solo- 
mon's seal), \ pound ; Kee-chi-hee (skunk cabbage), \ pound ; 
Shu-jee (blood-root). 2 ounces; Pin-nee-se-ah (water hoarhound), 
^ pound. Add a sufficient quantity of water ; boil, and pour qfi' the 
water till the strength is obtained ; strain, and boil say to six porter 
bottlefuls, and add five pounds of strained honey; remove from the 
fire ; (I then advise the addition of half a pint of brandy;) let it settle, 
and bottle for use. Dose. — A wine glassful three or four times a day. 

N. B. — The Indians, by a preparation known only to themselves, 
make a liquid which forms an ingredient in nearly all their medi- 
cines. It takes the place of brandy and spirits, and therefore I 
••ivise the use of those liquids in several of the receipts given. 



A Valuable Powder. — Take equal parts of Wee-ne-oh (pul- 
/erized mandrake); See-tu-bar (pulverized spearmint); Wanc-to-o 
([cream of tartar). Mix. Dose. — A teaspoonful in tea or eyrup. 

The above receipt is usei'ul in dieases of the liver, dyspepsia, 
obstructed menses, dropsy, in venereal diseases, and in eyery taint 
rf the Bvstem. 



104 MISS BARBER'S NARRATIVE. 

Catarrh. (Snuff powder.}— Hon-kos-ka (high laurel), 1 ounce; 
Sawahja (sassafras), 1 ounce; Shu-jee (blood- root), I ounoe. 
Pulverize; mix well. 



Indian Poultice. — Scrape the common carrot, add to it a deco- 
tion of Ag-gaga (spikenard root), and stir in Indian meal. They 
use the above poultice in case of inflammation bordering on gangrene 
or mortification. 



Tonic Tincture.— Take of good soui or hard cider, 1 gallon, 
A okee -(white-oak bark), 2^ ounces; Whal-lo-ke (horseradish root), 
4 ounces; Senecka oko (Seneca snake root), 1| ounce; carbonate of 
iron, IJ ounce; Boel-lo-kee (golden seal root), 1 ounce; Mael-to- 
ha-nee (capsicum), ^ ounce. Use. — A sure remedy for intermittent 
levers, debility, and impoverished state of the blood. It is also 
excellent in obstructed menses, and the dropsy, worms, etc. 



Tincture of Stramonium. — Pulverized seeds of Stramonium, 
2 ounces ; proof spirits, 1 quart. Let it stand one week. Dose. — 
Twenty-five drops twice a day. Use. — Cure of epilepsy, neuralgia, 
palpitation of the heart, and fits. The proof spirits act the same aa 
the Indian ingredient — " Va-va-so-lee." 



A Valuable Vegetable Caustic. — Make a strong ley of hickory 
or oak ashes, put it into an iron kettle, and evaporate till dry; pul- 
verize, and preserve it in closed vessels. The Indians use this 
caustic with great success. It is highly useful in the treatment of 
fiMidas, also in indolent ulcers of every kind. It removes fungous 
Hc.sh without exciting any inflammation, and acts but little, except on 
npongy or soft flesh. It is useful in cancers, and in every case where 
a caustic is required. 



Excellent Eyewater. — Take of Sa-wah-ja (pith of sassafras), 
1 drachm. Add to it a suitable quantity of rose-water. It will be 
found beneficial in the treatment of ophthalmia, or inflammation of 
the eyes. 



MISS BARBER'S NARRATIVE. 10^ 

G»BOL..-Take Sa-moon (sage), 1 ounce; Rave-o-ee (hj^sop^ 
I ounce; pour on one quart of boiling water and let it stand 
half an hour, then strain, and add 1 draehm of fine borax. !7«^ 
This gargle is usefully employed by the Sioux tr.be m aphth»^ 
and in quinsy or sore throat, particularly where there ,8 acute 
inflammation. 

Gabole for Pdtrid Sob*: THBOAT.-Gee.sumach (bark of 
upland sumach); Lee-lo-we-nee (high blackberry) ; Alo-as-ter (corn- 
Ton white elm bark); Alo-o-e-oh (white oak bark); Was-char-eo 
r.mall black snake-roo/) ; Sum-me, ah-ah (nanny berry bark) Take 
of each a handful, except the snake-root, which must be only half 
the quantity; make a strong decoction, add a p.eoe o alum and 
sweeten weU with honey, then bottle for use. Apply often to 
he sores with a rag. It may at first irritate a l.ttle, but then cure. 
I have seen hundreds cured by this gargle where all other means 
were of no avail. In place of alum the Indians use a peculiar kind 
of grass, but the alum I know to be an excellent substitute from 
experience. 

INFUSIOKS—Infusiona, or, aa they are usually called, t,a,, are » 

very common and good method used by the Indians, o ad-inis ter- 

. in/the virtues of various medical agents. A two-fo d benefit is 

derived from infusions: 1st, the medicinal properties of the arUcle 

made use of; 2dly, the heat and diluent properties of the water. 

During the year of my return (1872), which will be long remem- 
bered as one of epidemics, and general sickness, my success among 
my friends and acquaintances, in the treatment of various diseases, 
was 80 great that I was frequently urged by them to practise 
medicine professionally; and by the use of herb teas this success was 

^'^In exceltnt method to make teas or infusions is to put the plant 
or root into a tea-pot, pour on boiling water, and let it stand a short 
time hy the side of the fire. In this way the infij^ion is read.^ made 
very clear. For infusions generally, put a handful of the herb 
into a tea-pot, and add a quart of boiling water; when cool, drink 
freely. 

For kidney complaint an excellent tea can be made of Tat-U-loo 
'^eabane) 



i.0« MISS BARBER'S NARRATIVE. 

For weak lungs, coughs, pain in the breast, loss of appetite, dj». 
pepsia, etc., the following tea will be found very beneficial. 

Char-ee (snake- root) ; Boel-art (gold thread); Ga-no-ee-ah (cen 
•aury); Worlo-wanct (wormwood); Sy-an-zee (tansy); Dee-no-ee 
(boneset) ; Pin-nee-se-ah (hoarhound) : of each one handful. 

Dose.— To a large tablespoonful pour one pint of boiling water ; 
when cold drink a wine glassful four times a day. 

An excellent tea to expel worms is the following : 

Ta-taa-ore (Carolina pink), J an ounce ; Ano-ano (senna), ^ an 

ounce ; Eno-ano (manna), ^ an ounce. 

Dose,— R&ir a tea-cupful three or four times a day for a child six 

years old, or sufficient to purge. 

The following tea, as a cleansing and cooling purgative, cannot 
be excelled. It is useful in fevers and inflammatory diseases. 

Ano-ano (senna), J an ounce ; Eno-ano (manna), | an ounce ; 
Sa-sa-poh (fennel seed, bruised), 1 teaspoonful. 

Add to the above half an ounce of cream of tartar, after having 
put the senna and manna in one pint of boiling water, and strained 
It, then sweeten. In place of cream of tartar the Indians use a 
powder which they manufacture from laurel leaves, but as I do not 
know the formula, and do know the beneficial eflTect of cream of 
tartar, I advise the use of the latter. 

Dose. — A wine glassful every hour till it purges. 



The following preparation is used by the Indians in the treat- 
ment of retention of urine, etc. They use an ingredient called by 
them " Va-va-so-lee," but as that cannot be obtained, Holland gin 
will be found an excellent substitute. 

Take of spearmint, green, bruise, and add sufficient quantity to 
saturate about one quart of Holland gin. 

Dose.— The dose must be regulated according to the patients 
habits. Some will require half, others a gill at a time, and repeated 
every thirty minutes. The patient should take it till it produces 
relief In cases where the green mint cannot be procured, the 
ury may be used, but it is not so good. This liquid may also be 
used beneficially^ both externally and internally, in oases of mva**® 
Tomitinir , ' 



MISS BARBER'S NARRATIVE. 1^7 

Common Poultick. — Take of elippery elm bark (pulverised) a 
Bufficient quantity ; stir it in hot or warm milk and water, to the 
consistence of a poultice. This poultice exceeds every other in 
point of eflBcacy. It is of almost universal application, and removes 
inflammation sooner than any other. Compared to this, every other 
poultice dwindles into insignificance. 



I will nere add a bit of useful imformation not ot Indian origin, 
but one of great benefit to sufiering humanity. In scarlet fever, 
measles, whooping cough, and small pox (and all kindred diseases), 
give freely of brewer's yeast. Its effect is wonderful, the disease 
is forced out, and all fears of sore throat may be discarded where 
the yeast is given. In small pox, a regulation of the bowels, use 
of the yeast, and good, careful nursing (the room, in which the 
patient is placed, to be kept of an even temperature), will do more 
than all the doctors to be had. The patient's diet in this disease 
should consist chiefly of gruels, and warm teas should be frequently 
given. Take of saflft-on and catnip equal parts, make a tea, and 
give it warm. Use the fever remedies when fever appears. 

Best nourishment for the disease is barley toater, Indian meal 
gruel^ buttermilk and water, roasted apples^ and ripe fruit moderately. 

Let there be a current of air in the roon,, but avoid the same 
coming in contact with the patient. Great attention must be paid 
to cleanliness. Change linen and clothes often. If eruptions are 
large, full of water and irritating, puncture same, and sprinkle same 
with dry flour of slippery elm, and the pitting of the face will be 
greatly diminished. 



In conclusion allow me to assure the reader that all the fore- 
going receipts are of great value, and may be fully relied upon. 
When you ^o to the druggist be particular to write the exact 
quantity n? given by me, and make use of the English names, only, 
as very few druggists have any knowledge of the Indian languagea 
be Indians have great faith in the healing qualities of tobacco^ 



MISS BASBES'S NARBATIVK. 

and I have seen many cures by its use, such ui stings of bees, tntet 

of insects, etc. 

[We have seen several persons who have been cured by Miss 
Barber, and we have no hesitation in asserting that her Indian 
receipts are of great value. The lady previous to her life among the 
Indians was a great student, and principal among her studies was 
that of medioine, 

Thx PumiilflHBMl 




TERRIULE ENCOUXTER HETWEEX TTTE INDIAN CHIEF AND THE HUNTER, . 
LEROY, ON "devil's CLIFF." # 

£rf;rccf(id;cr Siamv] jmifrfjcti bciu 3ii&iiiiicr-piiiiptliin] ^lll^ ^cln 3m]or J?croij nii {>er „5eiifelfflipve.' * 



